Canada grants long-awaited health study for Indigenous communities downstream of oilsands

Canada will invest $12 million over the next decade to investigate potential contaminants from oilsands operations that impact Indigenous communities in northern Alberta. Indigenous leaders have been advocating for such funding for more than 30 years to study the health effects of pollution from oilsands activities. Previous research has revealed elevated cancer rates and the presence of harmful contaminants, including arsenic and mercury, in water and wildlife in the region.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has stressed the critical need to assess the impacts of living downstream from oilsands operations, emphasizing that understanding these effects is essential for protecting community health. Indigenous communities have long raised concerns about the health risks posed by industrial pollution, highlighting the pressing need for a comprehensive environmental justice approach. This investment aims to provide a clearer picture of the long-term health impacts and ensure that affected communities receive the necessary support and resources.