POZNAN – In response to plans by Syncrude and other oil companies to release tailings into the Athabasca River, New Democrat Environment Critic Linda Duncan is expressing grave concerns over the health and environmental repercussions.

“The federal government has a responsibility to protect the Athabasca and the people and wildlife who rely on it,” says Duncan, MP for Edmonton-Strathcona. Dumping of contaminated wastes into these rivers clearly triggers federal responsibilities, such as fisheries, transborder waters and Aboriginal lands and peoples. By law, affected First Nations must be notified and consulted prior to the adoption of such policies or the issuing of any permits.

“I call on the Environment Minister to do everything in his power to prevent industry from going ahead with this reckless plan,” says Duncan.

The Athabasca flows north to the Peacen Slave and McKenzie River systems. Any contamination will affect the water supply that is the lifeblood of countless northern communities, and will further threaten the fisheries and wildlife already suffering from the adverse effects of the pace and intensity of tar sands development.

While Duncan has lauded reports that Alberta is considering prescribing stricter requirements for tar sands waste, she adds, "Surely the solution is not draining these highly contaminated waters into rivers already at risk."

Duncan is currently in Poznan, Poland for the international climate change conference. She will seek to meet with Environment Minister Jim Prentice to discuss this matter, as well as the larger issue of Canada’s role in rolling back international commitments to expedite action on climate change.