Suncor incident highlights ‘continued failure’ of Alberta regulator: First Nation chief

A First Nation chief says that Suncor's release of muddy water into the Athabasca River further highlights the issues with Alberta's regulator. 

The chief of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN) says that Suncor’s release of muddy water into the Athabasca River further highlights the problems with Alberta’s energy regulator.

Suncor reported six-million litres of water that exceeded sediment guidelines were released into the river from a pond at its Fort Hills oilsands mine in northern Alberta.

“Suncor took action to stop the discharge system and the release has been stopped,” said a note from the Alberta Energy Regulator sent to area First Nations on Monday.

Suncor spokeswoman Erin Rees characterized the release as “surface water that has a high natural silt content.”

Normally, the sediments are allowed to settle and the water is emptied into a creek that drains into the Athabasca River. But on Sunday, Suncor reported that levels of solids suspended in the water were more than twice the allowed limit.

The ACFN sent a news release Wednesday, saying members are concerned about substances being released into the environment, and only being communicated with “after the fact.”

“Suncor’s actions highlight the continued failure of the AER to prevent, properly communicate, or proactively regulate environmental catastrophes in the oilsands,” Chief Allan Adam said.

“The AER needs to be disbanded and replaced with a new agency that is able to properly oversee industry. An agency that is rooted in the protection of our Section 35 and Treaty rights.”