Environmental Defence and Indigenous-led organization Keepers of the Water co-hosting solidarity rally in Ottawa on day of parliamentary hearings over Imperial Oil leaking toxic waste
Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Imperial Oil, the Alberta Energy Regulator and Environment and Climate Change Canada, will appear at the House of Commons ENVI committee on April 20th and 24th to testify about their handling of Imperial Oil’s toxic tailings leaking for over nine months – affecting Indigenous communities.
WHAT: A rally to show solidarity with the Indigenous Nations affected by Imperial Oil’s toxic tailings pond leak. Photo and interview opportunities available.
WHO: Environmental groups and supporters of affected Indigenous communities, including expert spokespeople from Environmental Defence and Keepers of the Water who can comment on the hearings.
WHEN: Thursday, April 20, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WHERE: Outside the Wellington Building at the Sparks St. entrance (197 Sparks St.), Ottawa.
WHY: Imperial Oil’s tailings pond at its Kearl facility has been leaking and contaminating the lands and drinking water of downstream Indigenous communities, including Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation and Mikisew Cree First Nation for over nine months. Local Indigenous communities, the federal government, and the public were not informed of the leak until a separate incident spilled 5.3 million litres of wastewater into the environment. Indigenous nations are seeking justice for the damages caused by the Imperial oil spill and for the cover-up of the disaster. Supporters are calling for accountability and federal charges to be laid against Imperial Oil for the disaster.
ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.
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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:
Paula Gray, Environmental Defence, media@environmentaldefence.ca
