Alberta suspended environmental monitoring for oilsands companies without notifying the Northwest Territories, despite a legally binding agreement to do so. "We have been made aware ... that the Alberta Energy Regulator has indefinitely suspended several environmental monitoring requirements for major oilsands producers," wrote Erin Kelly, the N.W.T. An Alberta Environment and Parks email shows Kelly's second note provoked an "urgent" request within the department for a response to her concerns. Bilateral Agreement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in March," wrote Alberta Environment spokesman John Muir. Alberta has yet to release work plans or budget for this year's field season of a joint federal-provincial program responsible for environmental monitoring outside various oilsands leases.

Source: CBC News July 13, 2020 13:41 UTC