Indigenous leaders call on federal government to reject plans to ‘treat and release’ oil tailings

Credit: cpac

At a news conference in Ottawa, Indigenous leaders call for a plan to manage waste from oilsands in a way that protects the health and safety of nearby communities. The Alberta government announced in September that it would begin creating standards for releasing treated oil tailings into the environment as a disposal option.

Speaking with reporters are Cindy Woodhouse Nepinak, national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, Trevor Mercredi, grand chief of the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta, and Billy-Joe Tuccaro, chief of the Mikisew Cree First Nation. (November 3, 2025)