Home / Environment / Indigenous Protest Halts Suncor Water Talks
Indigenous Protest Halts Suncor Water Talks
9 Sep
Summary
- Residents protested Suncor's plan to release treated water into the Athabasca River.
- Suncor representatives left engagement sessions early amid community backlash.
- Concerns center on drinking water and traditional hunting and fishing grounds.
Community engagement sessions in Fort Chipewyan, Alberta, concerning Suncor Energy's proposal to release treated tailings water into the Athabasca River were significantly disrupted. Suncor representatives departed the Mamawi Community Hall early on the first day of scheduled consultations, failing to return for the second day due to protests from local residents.
Protesters held signs expressing opposition, such as "Fort Chip is not Alberta's dump grounds" and "No treatment No release." Residents, including members of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, Mikisew Cree First Nation, and the Fort Chipewyan Métis community, are worried about the impact on their drinking water, sourced from the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Lake Athabasca, as well as their hunting and fishing grounds.
Suncor stated that industrial water treatment is a well-established practice and they have confidence in their technology. However, some residents, like Jennell Vermillion, described the situation as "environmental racism at its finest." Pamphlets presented by Suncor indicated a demonstration in 2025 and projected operations to begin in 2030, with regulatory approvals anticipated in late 2028.
Alberta's government is developing a long-term plan for tailings ponds, with recommendations including the release of treated water into the Athabasca River. The province's premier's office highlighted the vast volume of water in tailings ponds requiring reclamation. Federal regulations under the Fisheries Act prohibit the deposit of deleterious substances without authorization, and no such federal effluent regulation currently exists for oilsands mines.
