An oilsands oversight committee evaluated which projects could continue this year during the pandemic by looking at the budget, Wilkinson said. Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the budget cuts to environmental monitoring were approved by a 12-person oilsands oversight committee. Wilkinson said the funding for environmental monitoring projects will go back to normal in 2021. The regulator put back in place all environmental monitoring standards on July 15. Environmental monitoring identifies crises in the early stages, making it easier for scientists to mitigate any damages that might happen, she said.

Source: CBC News August 05, 2020 14:14 UTC