The Syncrude oil sands extraction facility is reflected in a tailings pond near Fort McMurray, Alta., on Sunday, June 1, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
The Syncrude oil sands extraction facility is reflected in a tailings pond near Fort McMurray, Alta., on Sunday, June 1, 2014. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson
EDMONTON - The Alberta government says it will begin creating standards for releasing treated oil tailings into the environment.
Creating release standards is one of four policy recommendations pitched by a government-appointed committee tasked with studying tailings management options.
Tailings are mixtures of water, sand, bitumen residue and chemicals considered toxic to fish and other wildlife and, as of 2023, there were nearly 1.4 trillion litres of the substance stored across the province.
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A new report from the committee says treating and releasing oil sands tailings into the environment is “essential” to mitigate the risks associated with the growing volume of the substance pooled around northern Alberta.
The committee’s report says a primary concern will be whether it can be treated well enough to protect the health of humans and wildlife.
Environment Minister Rebecca Schulz says the government will start developing an action plan.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 5, 2025.
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