Skip to main content
Link to home page Canada's National Observer logo
Log in
Account
Log out
Subscribe
Donate
Log in
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Climate Solutions
  • Special reports
  • Podcasts
    • The Takeover
    • Mortal Giants
    • Slick Science
    • The Poison Detectives
    • The Road
    • The Salmon People
    • Race Against Climate Change
    • Hot Politics
    • Maxed Out
  • Newsletters
    • Zero Carbon-Chris Hatch
    • Maxed Out-Max Fawcett
    • Canada's Climate Daily
    • Canada's Climate Weekly
  • News
  • Team
  • About
  • Advertise
Search
Account
Log out

Search

Special report

Canada's Oilsands

Our award-winning series on the people, places and conflicts on the front lines of resource development in the Alberta oil patch.  

Suncor Oil Sands - Andy Wright
162 Articles

Alberta doctor who blew the whistle on cancer in the oilsands wins award

Dr. John O’Connor faced years of backlash after raising concerns in 2006 about unusually high numbers of cancer cases in communities downstream of the oilsands. Now, he has been awarded the first-ever Peter Bryce Prize for whistleblowing from Ryerson University's Centre for Free Expression.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Emma McIntosh
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
March 3rd 2021

Alberta inquiry commissioned reports downplaying climate crisis, critics say

The publicly funded inquiry, which is meant to examine an alleged foreign-funded campaign against Alberta oil and gas, spent approximately $97,560 commissioning the reports.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Emma McIntosh
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
January 15th 2021

'No imminent risk' that floods will hit oilsands tailings ponds: regulator

Flooding in Fort McMurray has raised concerns that the rising waters could breach toxic waste reservoirs in Alberta's oilsands, which could have devastating consequences for local Indigenous people and the environment. The Alberta Energy Regulator says all dams are intact and teams are monitoring the situation.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Emma McIntosh
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
April 30th 2020

Switzerland’s biggest bank shuns new oilsands projects

Despite committing to the Paris climate agreement, Rainforest Action Network called the move by UBS an “absurdly weak policy.”
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Carl Meyer
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
March 6th 2020

Senator says Canadians are soured on big oilsands projects

"We saw Alberta drawing a line in the sand with the (Trans Mountain) pipeline. Now there’s another line in the sand," Independent Sen. Mary Coyle said, about the Frontier mine. "And you can’t keep going with those lines in the sand."
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Carl Meyer
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
February 21st 2020

Worker killed in incident at Syncrude oilsands mine

The incident happened at Syncrude's Aurora site Sunday evening.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Emma McIntosh
  • News
  • Energy
January 20th 2020

Is a clean energy reckoning drawing nearer for the oilpatch?

Short-term forecasts show a good year ahead for the energy sector. But long term, Canadians are pushing for clean energy and global demand for petroleum may peak sooner than expected.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Emma McIntosh
  • Analysis
  • Energy
  • Politics
January 16th 2020

Peril and prosperity predicted for Teck's massive oilsands mine

Report raises doubts about the future price of oil and the financial wisdom of expanding the oil sands in a time of climate emergency.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Timothy E. Wilson
  • News
January 15th 2020

Big oil, big divides

"Most Indigenous communities are engaged in resource development in one way or another", said Dale Swampy, president of the National Coalition of Chiefs.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Sarah Lawrynuik
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
November 6th 2019

Norway public pension fund severs final link with Canada's oilsands

Canada Pension Plan Investment Board could not say whether it was considering axing its fossil fuel holdings.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Morgan Sharp
  • News
  • Business
  • Energy
October 7th 2019

Swiss insurance giant divests from the oilsands

Zurich Insurance Group's new policy comes after Canada’s regulator of financial institutions issued a statement asking all insurers to develop a low-carbon transition strategy.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Carl Meyer
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
June 27th 2019
oilsands, Fort McMurray, pollution

Oilsands lobby speechless as government scientists point to higher pollution

A report compiled by Environment Canada shows that four fossil fuel facilities in northern Alberta produced far more carbon dioxide and other pollutants than they are required to report under international guidelines.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Morgan Sharp
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
April 23rd 2019

Oilsands polluted more than entire economies of B.C. or Quebec

Canada's oilsands sector, the country's fastest growing source of greenhouse gases, now produces more pollution than the entire economies of B.C. or Quebec.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Carl Meyer
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
April 16th 2019
Syncrude, oil sands, tailings pond, Fort McMurray,

Syncrude faces federal charges over 2015 heron deaths

One of the country's largest oilsands companies is facing federal charges in the death of 31 great blue herons at one of its mine sites in northern Alberta more than two years ago.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • The Canadian Press
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
November 4th 2017
Jane Fonda, oilsands, First Nations, Alberta, pipelines, Fort McMurray, Canada, climate change

'Have to spread the message:' Jane Fonda lends ear to First Nations on oilsands

The U.S. film star and Oscar winner said she made the visit to learn about the impact of oilsands development on First Nations and to support their opposition to pipelines.
Canada's Oilsands
By
  • Bob Weber
  • News
  • Energy
  • Politics
January 10th 2017

Pagination

  • Current page 1
  • Page 2
  • Page 3
  • Page 4
  • Page 5
  • Page 6
  • Page 7
  • Page 8
  • Page 9
  • …
  • Next page

Support award-winning independent journalism with your subscription today

  • Canadian Association of Journalists Awards
    • Finalist
    • Canadian Association of Journalists
    • Data journalism award
    • Human rights reporting award
    • Outstanding investigative journalism
  • Michener Award
    • Winner
    • Michener Award
    • Meritorious public service journalism
    • 2019 & 2016
  • National Newspaper Award
    • Winner
    • National Newspaper Award
    • Columns (2021)
    • Business reporting (2016)
  • Canadian Journalism Foundation
    • Finalist
    • Canadian Journalism Foundation Award for Climate Solutions Reporting
Canada's National Observer
  • Jobs
  • Freelance for Us
  • Masthead
  • Advertise
  • Search
  • Help
  • The Trust Project
  • Contact
  • Ethics
  • Terms
  • Privacy
  • Admin
Subscribe Newsletter Donate
Download our app
App Store App QR code
Google Play App QR code
Trust Project logo
© Observer Media Group 2025