Oil sands in Canada: Federal actions on Kearl
On February 7, 2023, the federal government became aware of seepage incidents of oil sands process-affected water near the site boundaries at the Kearl Oil Sands Mine, located approximately 70 km north of Fort McMurray, Alberta.
Federal activities
Environment and Climate Change Canada is one of several federal departments involved in the response to the incidents at the Kearl Oil Sands Mine. In direct response to the seepage, the federal government undertook several actions on priority areas including:
Enforcement action
On May 4, 2023, Environment and Climate Change Canada announced it had opened an investigation into a suspected contravention of subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act at Imperial Oil Ltd.'s Kearl Oil Sands Site. This legislation prohibits the deposit of a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, or in any place where the deleterious substance may enter water frequented by fish.
On March 10, 2023, enforcement officers issued a Fisheries Act Direction to Imperial Oil, requiring the company to take immediate action to prevent any seepage from entering fish-bearing waters.
The investigation is ongoing. Environment and Climate Change Canada continues to assess long-term compliance with the Fisheries Act Direction.
Notification and Monitoring Working Group
Environment and Climate Change Canada created a working group to provide a place for discussion and transparency between the federal government and Indigenous Nations. The Alberta and Northwest Territories governments were also invited.
Safety of drinking water
Water quality sampling was completed by multiple parties including Indigenous Services Canada, Health Canada, the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to ensure a safe drinking water supply. Results showed that the water is safe, potable, and meets the Guidelines for Canadian Drinking Water Quality. Water quality results are available from Alberta Environment and Protected Areas and the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.
Remediation of seepage
Environment and Climate Change Canada reviewed Imperial Oil Ltd.’s remedial action plan to make sure it complied with the Fisheries Act and the Direction issued to Imperial Oil Ltd. Environment and Climate Change Canada shared comments from its review with the Alberta Energy Regulator.
Enhanced water monitoring
Alberta Environment and Protected Areas implemented enhanced sampling, specific to water quality monitoring, in response to the Kearl incident for spring and summer 2023. Scientists at Environment and Climate Change Canada provided expertise to Alberta Environment and Protected Areas to support their efforts in implementing this enhanced sampling. Alberta Environment and Protected Areas shared the results online, as well as a map and summary of completed monitoring.
News releases
2023 news releases
- Environment and Climate Change Canada Enforcement opens a formal investigation into Imperial Oil Ltd.’s Kearl Oil Sands Site
- Minister Guilbeault provides an update on federal action to address the ongoing spill situation at the Kearl Oil Sands Mine
- Ministers provide a status update on federal action to address ongoing situation at Kearl Oil Sands Mine
- Statement by Minister Guilbeault on ongoing spill situation at Imperial Oil’s Kearl Oil Sands Processing Plant and Mine
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