Federal Surroundings Minister Steven Guilbeault reiterated his name for a stronger federal presence on the subject of environmental monitoring and communications within the oil sands, following some wastewater releases from Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine in Alberta.
“The rationale the federal authorities is proposing to alter the best way we do monitoring and communication on the tailings dams is that on this case (the present system) did not work,” he mentioned Monday.
Guilbeault added Ottawa is contemplating suggestions from the Mikisew Cree First Nation, which embrace reforms to environmental monitoring, which is presently carried out by {industry}.
“We agree with them. We’d like a greater monitoring system.”
Learn extra:
Kearl oil sands spill exposes gaps in how Alberta and Canada oversee {industry}: consultants
The primary launch was noticed and reported in Could as discolored water close to a tailings pond. It was discovered to be tailings seepage, however no additional updates had been offered to space First Nations till February, when it was disclosed to the general public and federal and provincial surroundings ministers together with a second launch of 5.3 million liters of tailings.
This isn’t acceptable, Guilbeault mentioned.
“The system now we have in place is failing.”
Guilbeault reiterated his plan for a brand new physique with federal, provincial and First Nation members that will meet recurrently to share info, notably on environmental emergencies just like the Kearl releases.
It is going to additionally focus on cleansing up tailings emissions, the way to include the big poisonous dams and long-term options for them — proposals contained in a letter Guilbeault despatched to his provincial counterpart, Sonya Savage, final week.
“We are going to discover processes the place everybody will get the data in a well timed, clear and correct approach,” he mentioned. “No person wants to seek out out months later that one thing is occurring.”
Guilbeault mentioned he additionally needs the physique to have a look at reforming water monitoring within the space.
“Many will really feel relieved if monitoring is completed in an impartial approach.”
Billy-Joe Tuccaro, chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation, mentioned Guilbeault promised as a lot in a gathering.
“They promised to extend the monitoring program,” he mentioned.
Alberta’s present $50 million, industry-funded monitoring program hasn’t had a price range improve in a decade. This system has been criticized by its personal scientists for being good at accumulating knowledge however unhealthy at doing something with it.
In public statements, Savage agreed to the necessity to have a look at communication between the 2 ranges of presidency in addition to long-term options for the oil sands tailings, which totals 300 sq. kilometers and comprises 1.4 trillion gallons of poisonous tailings.
Guilbeault mentioned Savage appeared open to dialogue.
In the meantime, Tuccaro mentioned consuming water for the group of Fort Chipewyan, promised by Ottawa, has began to reach. The water is being shared with all First Nations that could be affected by the spill, he mentioned.
However Tuccaro mentioned Ottawa has but to approve his group’s long-standing request for a long-term group well being research locally of Fort Chipewyan.
Learn extra:
Ottawa says Kearl leak dangerous to wildlife; orders to cease seepage
“They did not decide to a group well being research,” he mentioned. “That is an enormous one.”
Tuccaro mentioned feedback from Imperial and the provincial authorities that there was no influence on water or wildlife didn’t reassure his group.
“They could not even inform us (the seepage) was contained,” he mentioned. “We wish it to be one hundred pc contained.”
Guilbeault mentioned officers from Imperial Oil and the Alberta Power Regulator might be invited to look earlier than the Home of Commons Committee on Surroundings and Sustainable Improvement.
© 2023 The Canadian Press
