Head of Alberta Energy Regulator declines to say when province told of oilsands leak

The head of the Alberta Energy Regulator has declined to tell a parliamentary committee when the provincial government was informed of releases from an oilsands tailings pond.

Laurie Pushor told the environment and sustainable development committee he doesn’t want to jeopardize a probe by a third-party contractor hired by the regulator’s board.

Pushor was facing questions from Edmonton New Democrat MP Heather McPherson.

Before Pushor spoke, McPherson requested that he testify under oath, the only witness to do so in three days of hearings.

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The committee is looking into why governments and area First Nations weren’t kept updated on seepage from a tailings pond at Imperial Oil’s Kearl oilsands mine.

Pushor has apologized for that delay and pledged improvement.

Representatives from two of those First Nations told the committee they don’t trust the Alberta regulator and called for a stronger role in managing the industry’s environmental impacts.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 24, 2023.