"Information and Privacy Commissioner
In the release, McLeod said the probe is to examine whether the regulator had a duty to release information about risks to the environment, public health or a group of people.
"Did AER have a duty … to disclose information that is clearly in the public interest?" the release asks.
The investigation could also be expanded to include "any other implicated public body," it says.
The probe stems from two releases of toxic oilsands tailings water from the Kearl mine north of
The first release was spotted and reported in May as discoloured water near a tailings pond. It was found to be tailings seepage, but no further updates were provided to area First Nations until February, when it was disclosed to the public and federal and provincial environment ministers, along with a second release of 5.3 million litres of tailings.
Area First Nations were furious about the fact their members harvested in the area for nine months without being told of possible contamination. The government of the
On Monday, Indigenous leaders from communities downstream of the mine up to the
On Wednesday, Prime Minister
"We need to understand why the company and the regulator were so slow to notify," he said in response to a question from N.W.T. MP
Federal Environment
The investigation was requested by
"I'm happy to see this going ahead," he said.
In a post on a blog that concerns
"All of those requirements appear to have been met in this case," Yewchuk wrote. "So why did the AER not warn the affected communities and the public until the problem literally overflowed, and even then chose to provide very little information?"
Yewchuk also noted the legislation contains protection for whistleblowers.
He said this is the first time the commissioner has investigated whether a public body should have released public-interest information on its own, without having been asked for it.
Information commissioner investigations can take months, if not years.
"I'm hoping this will get some prioritization," Yewchuk said.
McLeod said no further details will be available on the investigation, including a timeline for its completion.
"A public investigation report may be issued upon conclusion of the investigation," the release from her office said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published
© 2023 The Canadian Press. All rights reserved., source