New oilsands watchdog a victory for science

February 6, 2012

In the world of science and politics, the meeting was unprecedented. Senior representatives of the federal and Alberta environment departments met at the University of Alberta last Tuesday with a select group of scientists from all over Canada, some of whom showed up in person while others participated by teleconference.
 
The goal was to obtain the scientists' support for a new joint federal-provincial oilsands pollution monitoring program that the two governments hope will silence international criticism over the "dirty oil" produced by the oilsands industry.
 
As the industry invests billions of dollars to more than double its production by 2020, Alberta and Ottawa worry that the growing outcry over the environmental impact of this "dirty oil" will harm its export markets and impede its growth.

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