A northern Alberta First Nation is taking the province to court, citing its alleged failure to properly fund oilsands cleanups. Read More
The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said its trust in the Alberta Energy Regulator and oilsands companies was destroyed after wastewater leaks in 2022 and 2023 it says were covered up
The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation said its trust in the Alberta Energy Regulator and oilsands companies was destroyed after wastewater leaks in 2022 and 2023 it says were covered up
Article content
A northern Alberta First Nation is taking the province to court, citing its alleged failure to properly fund oilsands cleanups.
Article content
Article content
The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) argues the Alberta government has failed to follow results of a 2022 review of its Mine Financial Security Program (MFSP) after auditors twice found serious flaws in how it ensures oilsands are cleaned up.
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
“Without a properly funded program, industry will be able to walk away from their leases — leaving the mess behind for First Nations communities to live with,” ACFN Acting Chief Hazel Mercredi said in a press release.
Article content
Noon News Roundup
Article content
“This is something that all Albertans should care about because it is an expense that will fall to taxpayers after industry has finished extracting billions of dollars in revenue — leaving you with the bill.”
Article content
Named in the legal action is the Minister of Environment and Protected Areas Rebecca Schulz and the director of Environment and Protected Areas.
Article content
The ACFN has long contended the oilsands have negatively impacted the environment on their traditional lands, harming wildlife, water quality and the health of their people.
Article content
The First Nation said its trust in the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) and oilsands companies was destroyed after wastewater leaks in 2022 and 2023 it says were covered up.
Article content
Last year, they sued the AER, alleging negligence and breach of trust in failing to inform them of the leaks.
Article content
Story continues below
Article content
And now, following reviews by the province’s auditor general in 2015 and 2021 that identified flaws in the MFSP, the First Nation and its allies say the program overstated the asset value of oilsands operators while underestimating the cost of their liabilities.
Article content
Stories You May Like
-
Imperial Oil faces nine charges for spill at Kearl mine, Alberta Energy Regulator says
-
Alberta First Nations want oilsands tailings component to be declared toxin
-
Advertisement embed-more-topic
Story continues below
Article content
They also contend the MFSP fails to incentivize oilsands remediation and doesn’t take into account potential changes to energy markets that could adversely impact companies’ ability to pay for cleanup.
Article content
When the province amended the MFSP last fall, it did so “without addressing the fundamental issues with the program or substantively responding to ACFN’s concerns,” said the First Nation.
Article content
It’s the government’s duty, they said, to properly consult with impact stakeholders and share information but “instead, the Crown demonstrated a persistent pattern of obfuscation, delay, and failure to answer questions during the MFSP Review, which has frustrated the purpose of its solemn promises and places it in breach of the duty of diligent implementation,” states the First Nation’s application for judicial review.