The scientist who once oversaw the science division of an
independent agency keeping tabs on the impact of industrial pollution in
Alberta is leaving the province and speaking out about the politics
that he says has come to permeate Alberta’s petroleum-based economy.

Bill
Donahue says he fears the quality and depth of environmental monitoring
in the province will continue to decline, imperilling the public’s
understanding of potentially harmful pollutants produced by the oilsands
and related industries.

Last week, staff at Alberta Environment and Parks were informed
that the Environmental Monitoring and Science Division (EMSD), which
Donahue once helped lead, was being dissolved and rolled into a new
structure. A stand-alone climate change office will also disappear.