The CP story identified several specific monitoring programs that have been cut completely, including monitoring on the main branch of the Athabasca River downstream from the tar sands/oil sands, field studies on wetlands, fish, and insects, a pilot project to assess the risks posed by tar sands/oil sands tailings ponds, and water quality assessments in Wood Buffalo National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Now, Cheezie said his members find deformed fish with soft, oily skin in their waters—a direct result of oilsands pollution.”
“We rely on [wildlife] for food, for medicines, for spiritual sustenance,” he said. “Slowly but surely, the oilsands pollution is killing our people.”