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FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Aboriginals who live near the Alberta oil-sands site where 500 ducks died in a toxic pond want a federal inquiry on how to protect migratory birds, fish stocks and species at risk.
Chief Vern Janvier of the Chipewyan Prairie First Nation says his people are “upset and alarmed” at the government's negligence in protecting the environment.
He says Ottawa has legal and constitutional obligations to provide such protection, based on the treaties it has signed with aboriginal people.
Chipewyan elder David Janvier says there should also be a moratorium on further oil-sands development until new rules are in place to protect the environment.
The Janviers say community members and elders have witnessed the death of birds and other species at oil sands tailings ponds before.
They say their livelihood and culture are being destroyed for the sake of profits to oil companies and revenues to governments.
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