A People’s Tailings Response Initiative:
| Dear Friends and Supporters, This Sunday afternoon, April 2/23 at 2 p.m. on zoom is the third in a 3-part series of Study and Action Circles focused on community responses to the crisis of the Ft. McMurray Tailings “Ponds”. We’d like to make this an issue in the upcoming Alberta provincial election. We’re also planning on discussing a number of longer term initiatives to help ensure that this issue is addressed effectively and in a timely manner. Please register now and we’ll send you a list of suggested initiatives gleaned from the last 3 symposia and 2 Study and Action Circles. Together, we can make a difference! See the invitation below, including registration info/links. Hope to see you on Sunday afternoon, Rod Olstad (he/him) Tailings Study and Action Circles Coordinator Edmonton Chapter, Council of Canadians  Dear Friends and Supporters, The Edmonton chapter of the Council of Canadians is excited to invite you to our three-part Study and Action Circle series where we will plan a people’s response to the challenge of cleaning up the toxic Athabasca tar sands tailing ponds and make this a provincial election issue. The study and action series will take place via Zoom and is a follow-up to the symposia series we held with Keepers of the Water in fall 2022. These events will be held Sunday afternoons from 2-4:30 p.m. MST and will be an opportunity to learn more about the tailings ponds and to build community power in response to this massive public and environmental health hazard. Dates and times: February 26th 2-5 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place via Zoom and focus on the past and present of tailings and the scientific and technical issues related to them. REGISTER: February 26 March 12th 2-5 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place via Zoom and focus on Indigenous Rights and Knowledge as they relate to the tailings issue. REGISTER: March 12 April 2nd 2-4:30 p.m.: This Study and Action Circle will take place via Zoom and will focus on Community Responses to tailings and how such solutions can be part of a just transition. As able, and so as to inform your participation, please review the video linked at the end of the previous sentence. 🙂 REGISTER: April 2 |
Edmonton Chapter Co-Hosts Series of 3 Symposia on the Past, Present and Future of the Ft. McMurray Tailings Dilemma
by The Just Transition Working Group:
The Council of Canadians Edmonton Chapter with Keepers of the Water cordially invite you to a Symposia Oct 5, 26 and Nov 16 on the proposed dumping of inadequately treated tar sands tailings into the Athabasca River.
The link below provides detail on these events and a Registration Button. These events will be both in person, at the Telus Centre at the U of A and on line. Please note that space at in-person events will be limited.
The Edmonton Chapter’s Just Transition Working Group, in association with our allies, is now focussing on the spectre of the Ft. McMurray “Tailings Ponds” 1.4 trillion litres and growing of toxic, acidic and saline residues left over from over 50 years of the upgrading/refining of mined tar sands.
Despite licensing agreements to adequately treat these effluents, tailings have never been reduced in quantity or effectively treated in over 50 years of mining. Meanwhile, industry has provided a pittance in security bonds to back their promise to clean up the mess and has recently asked for and received unreasonable extensions of their licences to delay cleanup long after a number of mines have been depleted, raising the spectre of the public being stuck with the clean up costs.
This series of symposia aims to inform and inspire the public in the face of a truly epic situation. A problem that disproportionately affects primarily indigenous communities downstream.
edmontoncouncilofcanadians.ca