Federal Environment Minister
"The reason the federal government is proposing to change the way we do monitoring and communications on the tailings ponds is that in this instance (the current system) didn't work," he said Monday.
Guilbeault added
"We agree with them. We need a better monitoring system."
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.
That's not acceptable, Guilbeault said.
"The system we have in place is failing."
Guilbeault repeated his plan for a new body with federal, provincial and First Nation members that would meet regularly to share information, especially on environmental emergencies like the Kearl releases.
It would also discuss cleaning up tailings releases, how to keep the vast toxic ponds contained and long-term solutions for them — proposals contained in a letter Guilbeault sent last week to his provincial counterpart,
"We would find processes where everyone gets the information in a timely, transparent and accurate manner," he said. "No one has to find out months later something has been going on."
Guilbeault said he also wants the body to look at reform of water monitoring in the area.
"Many would feel relieved if monitoring was done in an independent manner."
"They promised to increase the monitoring program," he said.
In public statements, Savage has agreed to the need to look at communication between the two levels of government as well as long-term solutions to oilsands tailings, which cover in total 300 square kilometres and hold 1.4 trillion litres of toxic tailings.
Guilbeault said Savage seems open to dialogue.
Meanwhile, Tuccaro said drinking water for the community of
But Tuccaro said
"They haven't committed to a community health study," he said. "That's a big one."
Tuccaro said comments from Imperial and the provincial government that there have been no impacts to water or wildlife do not reassure his community.
"They couldn't even tell us (the seepage) is being contained," he said. "We want it 100 per cent contained."
Guilbeault said officials from
This report by The Canadian Press was first published
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