Environment Committee on Dec. 14th, 2023

[Brad Corson]

I would have told you yes then, and I would tell you today that we are continuing to adjust our seepage interception system to ensure its long-term effectiveness.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

If it was working, why did you have to add additional wells in 2021 and again in 2023?

[Brad Corson]

As I mentioned the last time I was at committee, we identified that there was an additional layer of groundwater that the prior studies, during design, had not identified. As a result of identifying this surface seepage, we then expanded that system to ensure that we're addressing those as well.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

You stated that the toxic plume extends 1.3 kilometres. You said that 1.3 kilometres is more than halfway to the Firebag River, that it includes boggy land feeding the Firebag River—actual tributaries—and of course the small lake known as Waterbody 3.

We know that there are still toxins seeping into this environment. The head of the AER admitted that to this committee a couple of weeks ago. The off-lease monitoring wells are still measuring PAHs. Downstream communities have reported sulphur and iron in their community-based monitoring since the spill. You say that drinking water isn't affected downstream.

Mr. Corson, to be perfectly honest, I don't understand how any Canadian can take what you're saying to this committee as truth. I find all of your testimony to be massively problematic. It doesn't align at all with people who are living on the land and who are in those communities and the measuring and monitoring that we've actually seen.

I have very big problems with your testimony, Mr. Corson.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Corson, do you want to take 30 seconds to maybe respond to that?

[Brad Corson]

Yes. Thank you.

Well, first I would say that we continue to be very transparent with all our data. We're happy to provide all those analyses to the committee, as we are to the communities and as we are to the regulator. That data continues to show that there is no impact to water. There is no adverse impact to wildlife. That's what our data shows. That's what third party data shows. Even the Alberta chief scientist recently came out with a report to validate that in their assessment, the drinking water was safe.

We have an abundance of information and data that we can provide you to demonstrate the credibility of my statements.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you, Mr. Corson.

We are now beginning the second round. Once again, Mrs. Goodridge will go first.

Over to you, Mrs. Goodridge.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

Mr. Corson, you said in your closing statement that there are 5,000 employees at Imperial, 5,000 hard-working people who get up every day and go to work. It's very frustrating to me to have the Liberals and the NDP and the Bloc just vilify an industry that is providing employment, and it's not just for people in my region; Imperial has an in-depth space that transcends just the Fort McMurray region. There are people who are employed in probably every single province, yet they continue to just vilify you and your company.

I'm not here to somehow give you an out on this, but you've increased the number of wells. Why have you increased the number of wells?

[Brad Corson]

First, thank you for your comments. You're exactly right. We have more than 5,000 employees who are working very diligently to provide safe, reliable and affordable energy to this whole country. They take that responsibility very seriously. I commend them for what they do on behalf of Canadians.

We expanded these monitoring wells and pumping wells because we did identify that there were gaps in the seepage interception system that was initially installed as part of the original design for Kearl. We identified those gaps. We want to be quite prudent in mitigating those gaps. We've significantly expanded it. We are expanding it out of the abundance of caution. We're taking a very conservative approach.

When you look back at where we were at the beginning of this year, at the time the EPO was issued, relative to where we expect to be at the end of this winter season, we will have tripled the size of that seepage interception system. We will have tripled the number of wells we use to ensure that there is no adverse impact to the environment or wildlife or waterways.

We take that very seriously. We're going to do what it takes.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

It's know better, do better, and I think it's important to highlight that the NDP member is trying to push forward the idea that somehow you've increased the number of wells because you realized that everything is screwed up. The way I read it was that you've increased the number of wells to ensure that nothing is screwing up and to ensure that you are protecting the environment.

It really aggravates me because, through this entire study, we've seen time and time again members of the opposition who have almost no understanding of this industry. They have almost no understanding. They might say that perhaps they've seen a picture of the oil sands, so therefore they understand it.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead on a point of order, Ms. McPherson.

[Heather McPherson, NDP, Edmonton Strathcona, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I take some offence to that. I am married to somebody who works within the sector. My father worked in the sector. My brother is in the sector. I would prefer that not be—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

I appreciate that, but it's not a point of order. I'm sorry.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

I'm sorry, Mr. Chair. I'm sorry that they get offended by the truth. It's very complicated when someone is just going to vilify an industry because it's convenient. We are in a space where Canada needs to have energy. We need energy security. We could help prevent the war in Europe and shut down Putin's war machine if we were able to supply the world with clean Canadian energy. Unfortunately, through the LNG, this government has decided to not move forward with any—

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Ms. Goodridge, I'm not going to wait for a point of order. I really think you are departing from the subject matter. Anyway, continue, but please, let's focus on the problem at hand, which is the Kearl spill.

Thank you.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

But this is all related. If they're going to vilify the entire oil sands industry, which is exactly what they're trying to do in this study, then we're putting Canadian energy security at risk.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I have a point of order, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Go ahead, Mr. van Koeverden.

[Adam van Koeverden, Liberal, Milton, ON]

I believe that the role of members of Parliament in committee is to question the witnesses, not to be ambassadors for the operations of the oil sands in this instance.

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Yes, go ahead, Ms. Goodridge, but if you could please narrow your focus, it would be appreciated.

[Laila Goodridge, Conservative, Fort McMurray—Cold Lake, AB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

I'm not here to be an ambassador for the industry. I'm here to be an ambassador for the hard-working people who make their living working hard to make sure that Canada has the energy it needs.

My question for Mr. Corson, through all of this, is this: What specific items have you done to ensure that this will not happen ever again?

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Mr. Corson, you have about 20 seconds. I'm sorry.

[Brad Corson]

Well, as I stated in my opening statement, we're working on mitigation, and that includes all of these monitoring wells. We've expanded our testing protocols. We've expanded our communication protocols. We're working hard to rebuild trust with all of our indigenous communities and partners, and it's through all of those steps that we are confident we will prevent this from occurring again.

[The Chair, Liberal, Francis Scarpaleggia]

Thank you.

Is Mr. Longfield next?

Go ahead.