The Pathways Alliance, a coalition of the largest oil sands companies, have proposed a massive $16 billion carbon capture and storage (CCS) network in northeast Alberta. It would be the largest CCS project in Canada – and one of the largest in the world. Allowing a project this size to proceed without an environmental assessment is unacceptable.

Impacted First Nations, local community groups and environmental organizations have all raised the alarm about the public health and safety risks of this massive project. Despite these risks, the Government of Alberta refused to conduct a provincial environmental assessment of the project. That prompted eight First Nations to request that the federal government intervene by designating the CCS project for a federal environmental assessment. 

The federal government has the power to ensure proper due diligence on this massive project and protect the health and safety of impacted First Nations and local communities.  It is essential that we hold them accountable.

The risks associated with the project include dangerous carbon dioxide leaks and explosions, increased air pollution, risks to groundwater and drinking water, and stress on watersheds. That’s why an environmental assessment is critical: it’s an opportunity to look at the project as a whole and ensure all environmental, economic, health and social impacts – as well as impacts on Indigenous inherent and treaty rights – are identified before a project is approved. 

Tell the federal government to designate the Pathways Alliance Carbon Capture and Storage project for federal environmental assessment – and choose the climate, environment and Indigenous rights over the interests of oil and gas CEOs. 

Your letter will be sent to the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada Re: Pathways Alliance CO2 Transportation Network and Storage Hub