Environment Canada report warns of oilsands concerns

An Environment Canada presentation prepared last spring warns of the potential cost of not addressing collateral damage from the oilsands industry in Alberta, according to Postmedia. The report was marked "secret" but obtained via access to information legislation. It notes: "Contamination of the Athabasca River is a high-profile concern," and highlights "questions about possible effects on health of wildlife and downstream communities." Using figures from the Canadian Energy Research Institute, the report also indicates that the oilsands sector generates 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in Canada, and is expected to contribute $1.7 trillion to the Canadian economy over 25 years.

Postmedia