Fort Chipewyan – Everyone in Canada deserves to live in a safe and healthy environment. The Government of Canada strives to address and reduce threats and harm to the environment for the benefit of people in Canada and all living things.
The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, visited Fort Chipewyan, Alberta and met with community leaders and members to better understand their concerns about the environmental and human health risks associated with living near the Athabasca oil sands region. These concerns were heightened in February 2023, when the federal government and Indigenous communities were made aware of an incident impacting the area from the oil sands industry.
Minister Guilbeault announced that the Government of Canada is going to make available nearly $12 million over 10 years for the Fort Chipewyan Health Study. The community-led health study, with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation and the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation, will examine the impacts of the oil sands on community members’ health. The design of the community-led health study, currently underway, will outline the communities’ objectives and study methodology. They may include an assessment of whether there are heightened risks for cancer and other health and environmental impacts for downstream communities related to activity in the oil sands region.
During his visit, Minister Guilbeault spent time with Elders and leadership from the three communities as well as events with community members.
Indigenous community members re-affirmed that the impact of environmental incidents in the oil sands region is an environmental injustice and their deep concern for their continued exposure to the downstream impacts of the oil sands. They also discussed the impacts of a changing climate and the growing risks of wildfires to the well-being of these communities, including the active wildfires in Wood Buffalo National Park, to better understand how the communities are adapting.
“Advancing a community-led health study in the Athabasca oil sands region is critically important to better understanding its potential long-term human and environmental health impacts on communities living in the area. I am strongly encouraged by the commitments from across the federal government and the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation and the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation to work together to develop and fund this work.” – Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“Our government is working in partnership with the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation, the Mikisew Cree First Nation and the Fort Chipewyan Métis Nation to better understand long-term health and environmental impacts on their people and their lands. Everyone deserves a safe and healthy life, and the community-led Fort Chipewyan Health Study is an important step forward.” – Mark Holland, Minister of Health