For immediate release: March 6, 2026 Joint Statement on the Government of Alberta and Oil Companies’ Announcement of Tar Sands Tailings Cleanup Projects ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE, ALBERTA WILDERNESS ASSOCIATION, CANADIAN ASSOCIATION OF PHYSICIANS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT (CAPE), INDIGENOUS CLIMATE ACTION, KEEPERS OF THE WATER Treaty 6 and Treaty 7 Territory | Amiskwacîwâskahikan (Edmonton), Alberta – This tailings remediation announcement represents a very small drop into a 1.7 trillion litre bucket, and not a serious attempt to clean up an industry with billions of dollars of toxic liabilities sitting on its balance sheets. It seems neither industry nor government know how to approach the major cleanup of these tailings ponds. These companies have an existing legal obligation to manage and reclaim their tailings that continue to accumulate. Yet instead of enforcing the law, Alberta appears to be marketing the smallest possible efforts from these polluters as the solution to this massive liability. The industry regulatory fees being used to fund this work must be drastically increased if they are meant to address this toxic disaster. This is window-dressing being used to polish these dirty oil sands operators and justify their expansion plans for an industry that can’t clean up its own mess, and a province that is further disincentivizing oil companies to clean up their current or future messes on their own. Tailings accumulation has never been meaningfully reduced. Equally concerning is whether this money actually addresses the human health, injustices and environmental impacts of the tailings, or enables the prioritization of water reuse. No treated tailings can or should be released into any watersheds. Whatever standards Alberta is establishing for tailings treatment and remediation must ensure there is no further harm to the communities impacted by oil sands pollution, and meet or exceed “no further exposure" thresholds established by scientists and downstream Indigenous Nations/Communities. Background: The Alberta Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction funding being used to support these projects is meant to: "reduce emissions and support the competitiveness and growth of Alberta’s economy" yet we question whether any of these technologies will achieve reduced emissions, particularly in the context of expanded tar sands production: https://www.alberta.ca/technology-innovation-and-emissions-reduction-regulation
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
Alberta Wilderness Association (albertawilderness.ca) is the oldest wilderness conservation group in Alberta (since 1965), seeking a network of representative protected areas. AWA has a proven history of being an effective, credible, and independent advocate for wildlands, wildwater, and wildlife.
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE) is a physician-directed charitable organization working to secure human health by protecting the planet. Since its founding in 1994, CAPE’s work has achieved substantial policy victories in collaboration with many partners in the environmental and health movements. From coast to coast to coast, the organization operates throughout the country with regional committees active in most provinces and all territories. cape.ca
Indigenous Climate Action (ICA) is an Indigenous-led organization guided by a diverse group of Indigenous knowledge keepers, water protectors and land defenders from communities and regions across the country. We believe that Indigenous Peoples’ rights and knowledge systems are critical to developing solutions to the climate crisis and achieving climate justice.
Keepers of the Water (KOW) Keepers of the Water is an Indigenous-led organization guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers, water protectors, and community leaders from across the Mackenzie River Basin and beyond. Founded in 2006, the organization works to protect water, lands, and ecosystems through Indigenous-led advocacy, education, and collaboration. Keepers of the Water believes that Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and stewardship responsibilities are essential to safeguarding watersheds and ensuring the health of future generations. – 30 –
For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Mira Merchant, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
Cameron Hunter, Alberta Wilderness Association, cs3@abwild.ca, 403-283-2025 Reykia Fick, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, media@cape.ca, 647-762-9168 Indigenous Climate Action, media@indigenousclimateaction.com Talon Giroux, Keepers Of The Water, Communications@keepersofthewater.ca, 587-921-3574
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