• 'Let's do it right': N.W.T. downstream leaders and advocates on Alta. oilsands tailings release

  Source: Territories - Northern Affairs (Yukon, NWT, Nunavut)
  Date: 2026-10-22 17:08:09.0
  Tags: [National, Alberta, Environment, Energy, Resources, Indigenous]

  Indigenous communities, advocacy groups like Alternatives North, and downstream leaders in the Northwest Territories are calling on federal and territorial governments to review Suncor's proposed oilsands tailings release into the Athabasca River system. Critics cite major scientific data gaps, potential health risks to communities dependent on municipal supplies from Lake Athabasca and Great Slave Lake, and the inadequacy of the 2015 N.W.T.-Alberta Bilateral Water Management Agreement. N.W.T. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jay Macdonald stated that the territory opposes the treat-and-release plan until scientific uncertainties are resolved, though primary regulatory authority rests with the federal government and the Alberta Energy Regulator.

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• Alberta Court of Appeal says Impact Assessment Act is still unconstitutional

  Source: Global News Politics
  Date: 2026-10-09 22:16:10.0
  Tags: [Alberta, National, Environment, Energy, Resources, Governance]

  In a 4-1 decision, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled that the federal government's Impact Assessment Act (originally passed as Bill C-69) remains unconstitutional because it still grants federal authorities the power to halt projects entirely within provincial jurisdiction based on minimal federal impacts. The legal challenge was brought by Alberta with backing from Ontario and Saskatchewan, following previous rulings by the Supreme Court of Canada. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith called on the federal government to accept the ruling and avoid another appeal, while federal officials stated they are reviewing the decision. Meanwhile, the federal government is attempting to transfer energy project reviews to the Canada Energy Regulator through Bill C-39 while maintaining compliance with the Impact Assessment Act.

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• First Nations Chief threatens legal action against province if tailings water is released

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-21 15:59:11.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Indigenous, Energy, Environment, Resources, Mining]

  Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Chief Allan Adam has threatened a 20-year legal battle against the Alberta government if provincial or federal regulators approve plans to treat and release oilsands mining wastewater from companies like Suncor Energy Inc. into the Athabasca watershed. The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation strongly oppose the "treat and release" approach for the 1.4 billion cubic meters of fluid tailings, citing severe local health concerns and threats to Treaty rights along the 1,230-kilometer river. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith stated that wastewater release is governed under federal jurisdiction and oilsands leases, while Environment Minister Grant Hunter maintains that treated mine water release is necessary to achieve site reclamation and return land to a self-sustaining boreal forest.

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• Northern Alberta communities raise concern over week-long foul odour from oilsands site, benzene leak speculation debunked

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-16 15:30:16.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Energy, Environment, Resources, Public Safety]

  Residents in the Wood Buffalo region of Northern Alberta reported a week-long foul odour extending from Fort McKay to Fort McMurray, prompting investigations by the Alberta Energy Regulator. The Alberta Energy Regulator confirmed the smell originated from scheduled tank maintenance at the Syncrude Mildred Lake oilsands facility, which is operated by Suncor Energy. Suncor Energy debunked community speculations regarding a toxic benzene leak, stating that air monitoring data from Wood Buffalo Environmental Association stations showed no exceedances of applicable air quality limits or human health thresholds.

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• Alberta declares a race with the U.S. on carbon storage, as Canada's biggest project opens

  Source: Alberta - Edmonton Journal (Legislature & Capital)
  Date: 2026-09-10 11:00:01.0
  Tags: [Alberta, Energy, Environment, Climate, Resources, Industry]

  Enhance Energy Inc. has broken ground on the Origins CCS Hub in Clive, Alberta, representing Canada's largest carbon capture and storage (CCS) project, which is scheduled to become operational by January 2027. The facility will initially store up to 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 per year in deep saltwater formations, equivalent to removing over 500,000 cars from the road, utilizing the Alberta Carbon Trunk Line and pipelines built from Canadian steel. Alberta Minister of Energy and Minerals Brian Jean framed the initiative as a race against the United States to capture carbon, which the province deems necessary to support its long-term goal of doubling oil production to eight million barrels per day. Federal Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Tim Hodgson noted that the federal government is collaborating with Alberta via a memorandum of understanding to establish a functioning carbon market.

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