Premier downplays air quality report, Ft. Mac on par with most Canadian cities: Stelmach

Jeff Cummings, June 3, 2008, Metro News -- The air quality in Alberta’s oilsands is as good or better than most major cities in Canada, says Premier Ed Stelmach, despite a government report that said pollution levels in the region are higher than other provincial areas.

“Ninety-nine per cent of the time the air quality in the whole Fort McMurray area is as good or better than most of the Canadian major cities,” said Stelmach.

The air quality report, conducted by Alberta Environment in November, said hydrogen sulphide levels in the Fort McMurray area have increased up to 68 per cent since the province began monitoring in 1999.

“The issue with Fort McMurray is not that it is getting worse, it is just not improving as we’ve seen in other parts of the province,” said Environment Minister Rob Renner yesterday.

“Air quality across the province continues to be good, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be better.”

Heather Milton-Lightening with Greenpeace says every aspect of the oilsands is out of control.
“It was the killing of 500 ducks two weeks ago, news of a Suncor discharge straight into the water system the next, and now it’s air quality,” said Milton-Lightening in a statement.

“It’s time to stop the tarsands before they stop us.”

The Tory government, meanwhile, kicked off Environment Week yesterday by challenging residents to make one simple act that will make a difference for the environment.

A website has been launched at www.onesimpleact.alberta.ca, where residents can make their own pledges online.