Overview

• A government-appointed panel recommends injecting oilsands wastewater into deep wells as one of five strategies to tackle the 1.4 trillion litres of existing tailings.
• The report highlights that disposal beneath multiple layers of impermeable rock could shield drinking water aquifers from contamination.
• It calls for policy reforms to encourage oilsands operators to share treated wastewater across facilities and reduce freshwater withdrawal.
• Environmental groups and NDP environment critic Sarah Elmeligi warn the unknown impacts on groundwater and geological stability require further study.
• Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz has committed to a six-month review of the panel’s recommendations before finalizing a new tailings management plan.