Oil Sands
Tools for Change Workshop: Non-Violent Direct Action & Grassroots Organizing
Fort Chipewyan: A Sacrifice Zone?
Upcoming Oil Sands Events
I would like to highlight a few very important events that will be taking place in the oil sands realm. The Pembina Institute will be celebrating the end of their "Connecting the Drops" Athabasca River expedition in coordination with a rally organized by the First Nations communities of Fort Chipewyan on August 14th in Fort Chipewyan. The event will highlight the health and environmental concerns they currently hold in their region. All are encouraged to attend, please see the attached poster by George Poitras to obtain more information about this important event. Feel free to contact myself or George for further information on the rally. Speakers at this event will include Dr. O'Connor, Dr. Schindler, Melanie Nakagawa (NRDC), Don VanHout (expedition leader), Dan Woynillowicz (Pembina Institute), as well as Chiefs and Elders from the community. Read More
Oil Sands Action Alert
From: Martha Kostuch
The Government of Alberta has not yet responded to the Oil Sands Multistakeholder's Recommendation and Report. This provides an opportunity for people who support the recommendations to lobby the Government to adopt and implement the recommendations. (Note: There are only three of the non-consensus recommendations that I as the ENGO representative on the panel I did not support.)
I would encourage you to take any or all of the following actions: Read More
Environmental Activist urges Government to Adopt Oil Sands Recommendations
Prairie Acid Rain Coalition
Media Release
July 26, 2007
Yesterday, the Government of Alberta released the Report and Recommendations of the Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) and Panel.
The MSC reached consensus on 96 recommendations. Some examples of the consensus recommendations to achieve the vision of "Ensures a Healthy Environment" are:
- Create and implement comprehensive regional resource and environmental planning and management systems for the Oil Sands Area and for regions impacted by existing and proposed upgraders.
- Work with neighboring jurisdictions and the federal government to ensure cumulative assessment and management of transboundary issues.
- Require comprehensive reclamation and mitigation plans from the onset of development that include milestones. Establish penalties to be enforced if operators fail to meet identified milestones.
"It is my expectation that the government will implement all of the consensus recommendations as quickly as possible," said Martha Kostuch, Chair of the Prairie Acid Rain Coalition and a member of the MSC. Read More
Oil Sands Multistakeholder Committee Recommendations Fail to Address Runaway Pace of Oil Sands Development
For immediate release
July 25, 2007
Responsibility Now Rests With Premier Stelmach
The recommendations of the Oil Sands Multistakeholder Committee released today by the Government of Alberta fail to address the main concerns of Albertans, according to the Pembina Institute. The final report was submitted to the Government of Alberta on June 30, 2007, and is currently being reviewed by the Ministers of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Resource Development. The Ministers have not yet responded to either the consensus or non-consensus recommendations of the committee. Read More
Alberta Government has Head Stuck in Tar Sands
Sierra Club of Canada — Prairie Chapter
July 25th, 2007
For Immediate Release
Edmonton — The Government of Alberta fails to acknowledge the critical issues requiring immediate action, says Sierra Club of Canada in the wake of the release of the Oil Sands Consultation Final Report. Read More
Final oil sands reports set a framework for the future
The following document has been posted to the Government of Alberta website.
News Release
Building a stronger Alberta
July 25, 2007
Final oil sands reports set a framework for the future
Edmonton... Setting out a vision and identifying principles to guide the future development of Alberta’s oil sands are highlighted in the Oil Sands Consultations Multistakeholder Committee (MSC) Final Report and the Aboriginal Consultation Final Report. Read More
New Website Uncovers Alberta's 'Dirty Secrets'
Albertans worried about how their public resources and lands are being managed now have a way to document their concerns. The Federation of Alberta Naturalists and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society Northern Alberta have been made aware of a new website that offers to post information on the destructive practices of industry in Alberta. The site is called Alberta's Dirty Secrets (http://www.albertasdirtysecret.com/) and serves as a moderated open forum for the posting of information and personal stories documenting the impacts of forestry and oil and gas activities, on the landscapes of Alberta. There are already some secrets posted — check it out. Read More