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Tories get themselves into a spin
News Articles | Edmonton Sun | Frank Landry | September 05, 2010
Read the full article on the originating site
If University of Alberta researcher David Schindler’s intention was to put Premier Ed Stelmach on the hot seat, he certainly succeeded.
The government didn’t appear to know how to react this week to Schindler’s peer-reviewed report that concluded toxic elements in the Athabasca River are linked to oilsands development.
Government and industry have long claimed that pollutants are the result of the natural seepage of bitumen.
But Schindler appears to have numbers that show otherwise. That led to a game of political hot potato at the legislature, as officials tossed this one back and forth while trying to formulate some sort of response.
Schindler’s research found concentrations of pollutants like mercury, arsenic and lead were higher the closer samples were taken to oilsands developments. The study confirmed they were not from natural sources, but from mining and industrial processes.
Seven of the 13 pollutants recorded exceeded allowable guidelines, according to the findings. They’re toxic even at low concentrations, his report said.
Schindler called it a violation of the federal Fisheries Act, insisting the government beef-up long-term monitoring of the Athabasca watershed in northern Alberta.
“You should take the propaganda that’s coming out (from government) with a grain of salt and insist that the monitoring be done by competent people and preferably in a manner that’s set up so that it’s arm’s-length from any manipulation by industry or … politicians,” Schindler said.
He said the monitoring should be overseen by Environment Canada, the federal agency responsible for the Fisheries Act.
“They have expert, world-renowned chemists and they also have very competent people who have been designing watershed studies for 40 years,” he said. “They’re the logical people to do it.”
Schindler argued the work should be paid for by industry.
That was Monday. Environment Minister Rob Renner wasn’t commenting. Instead, provincial scientists were put up to address the issue.
Opposition Liberal Leader David Swann said the research showed Alberta is not doing enough to protect the Athabasca “or the international reputation of our oil and gas sector.
“Toxic contamination of the Athabasca River can’t be entirely blamed on nature — oilsands development, including toxic tailings ponds, is almost certainly responsible,” Swann said.
That same day, NDP critic Rachel Notley called the report disturbing, arguing it shows government can’t be trusted to report accurate data on oilsands pollution.
Fast forward a day.
On Tuesday, Stelmach avoided speaking to reporters, with handlers saying he would hold a media availability the following day.
Fair enough, but Renner wasn’t going to speak either, until someone in the hierarchy had a change of heart and made the minister available.
Renner played down concerns, saying the toxic pollutants are at “insignificant levels” — again in contrast to what Schindler and his researchers reported.
“We’re constantly looking to improve the knowledge we have within Environment with respect to the oilsands and ensuring that we are as vigilant as we can possibly be with environmental protection.”
Renner, who admitted he hadn’t read the U of A study, said the province is doing its own monthly readings in the area.
He said that’s to “understand the distinction between human-induced and naturally- occurring compounds in the water.”
On Wednesday, Stelmach finally said he has faith in the province’s research on levels of toxins in the river, but also opened the door to a meeting of scientists on the issue.
The premier said he hoped the scientists would be able to reach some sort of consensus.
“In this particular case we will compare the data and come to a conclusion,” Stelmach said.
“If it means we have to do something more, we will. There’s no question about it.”
Stelmach was careful not to bad-mouth Schindler, repeatedly saying he had “great respect” for the researcher.
“The information he’s gathered and the data he’s collected … will add to the information we’ve already collected in terms of the Athabasca River and any impacts of oilsands development,” the premier said.
“We have to leave it to the scientists to compare the data and work together and see how they interpret that data.”
This, of course, also comes at a time when the province is sinking big bucks into an ad campaign promoting Alberta as a responsible energy producer, and encouraging us all to “tell it like it is.”
It could be argued that’s exactly what Schindler did.
Tagged with: canada, tar sands, stelmach, athabasca river, toxins
