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A report concludes the Alberta Vitality Regulator (AER) adopted its guidelines on communication after Imperial Oil’s Kearl mine spilled thousands and thousands of litres of wastewater into the encircling panorama. However the report additionally discovered that the AER’s current procedures on communication are considerably missing in particulars or poorly outlined.
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Indigenous leaders downstream from the place the leaks occurred have rejected the report’s findings and proposals.
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ACFN, MCFN reject report’s findings
Indigenous communities downstream from the oilsands mine had been livid. First Nation and Métis leaders accused the AER and the corporate of retaining them at midnight for months. Members had hunted, fished and foraged within the space, they added.
The Regional Municipality of Wooden Buffalo and the federal government of the Northwest Territories had been additionally upset with how the AER and Imperial Oil dealt with the incident.
Chief Allan Adam of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation mentioned he was not impressed with the report and referred to as for the AER to be disbanded. In an interview, Adam mentioned the report was an try at “absolving” itself.
“This had a direct impression on our treaty rights. I’ve been calling for an overhaul on the AER for over 12 years. In my opinion, you don’t let the individuals who had been a part of the issue give you options,” mentioned Adam in an interview.
“They higher lawyer up as a result of ACFN is coming. We’re going to take the AER and the Alberta authorities to courtroom, and we’ll in all probability go after Canada as properly as a result of they’re a part of the system.”
Chief Billy-Joe Tuccaro of the Mikisew Cree First Nation additionally rejected the report’s findings and instructed The Canadian Press “our belief is damaged.”
AER Board Chair David Goldie mentioned in a press release that the board has accepted the report and its suggestions.
“The Board is dedicated to making sure the AER strikes swiftly to deal with Deloitte’s operational and communication suggestions. I’ve requested AER Administration to develop an operational implementation plan,” mentioned Goldie.
“Doing so will be sure that the AER is extra ready and succesful as a regulator and can assist to make sure we higher meet expectations of Indigenous communities and key stakeholders.”
-with recordsdata from The Canadian Press
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