Analysis · Debate reply · beta

Wade Grant

Liberal on Adjournment Proceedings 2026-09-21

446 words · 19 sentences · 24 clauses

Replying to Heather McPherson (NDP)

“Mr. Speaker, on April 17, I asked the Minister of Energy a very simple question: What would it take for the government to protect Canadians, to respect indigenous rights and to actually enforce our environmental laws? The minister told me that Canada has strict standards, independent regulations and a strong safety record, but we have heard this before. None of this matters if the government refuses to enforce the legislation, refuses to enforce the laws that are in place in Canada to protect Canadians, to protect our environment and to ensure that indigenous rights are respected. If we do not enforce that legislation, it does not matter, and the government has shown time and time again that it will not use the tools at its disposal to protect the environment in northern Alberta. In April, Imperial Oil’s pipeline north of Cold Lake released 843,000 litres of bitumen and salt water that contained hydrocarbons, heavy metals, sulphur and other contaminants. That came after the Kearl disaster, when approximately 5.3 million litres of contaminated waste water spilled beyond the mine lease. When Parliament investigated Kearl, Imperial Oil acknowledged that seepage from its tailing system occurs and that the company’s approach is to manage that. It is not to fix it, not to protect communities downstream, not to ensure that the water people are swimming in and drinking and that the animals and wildlife are using is clean, but to contain and manage it. The Athabasca watershed contains enormous volumes of oil sands tailings, and indigenous nations have been raising concerns about contamination and the protection of their water for years. I think about the incredible work that Chief Adam, Chief Tuccaro and Grand Chief Mercredi have done. They have called out the environmental disaster that is happening on their land, yet the government fails to protect the environment in northern Alberta. It is not just limited to the oil sands. I think of the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains. Those are the headwaters that provide drinking water to millions of Albertans, yet Albertans have had to repeatedly fight proposals for coal mining in these watersheds. Corb Lund’s “water not coal” campaign helped mobilize hundreds of thousands of Albertans around a single message that our water is more important than corporate profits and more important than coal mining by an Australian company. We are still waiting for the federal government to bring in selenium regulations. We are still waiting for the federal government to use the tools it has at its disposal to protect our water. The government can use the Species at Risk Act, it can use the Impact Assessment Act and it can use the Fisheries Act, yet it chooses time and time again to fail to protect the water and the land in northern Alberta and in our cherished Rocky Mountains. Once again I ask the government this: Why, when Albertans so desperately need the federal government to step up and use the tools at its disposal to protect Albertans, does the government continue to sit on its hands?”

Statement grade

Average 92 / 100

A score under 50 is red. Choose a measurement to see where it lost points and why; choose it again to clear.

Greeting 5%Claims 89%Promise 6%

This view breaks the statement into its steps and names what each one does.

Mr. Speaker, Greeting · 22 wordsit is my first time rising in the House since we have come back, and I am very excited to be back.Greeting Claims · 399 wordsIssues related to oil sands management are taken seriously.Hidden agency The importance of clean waterways, healthy ecosystems and the well-being of surrounding communities continues to guide federal action in this area, alongside consideration of indigenous rights and interests. Environment and Climate Change Canada is advancing its work on oil sands mining effluent through ongoing structured engagement with indigenous rights holders and organizations, the Government of Alberta, the Government of Northwest Territories, industry representatives, environmental non-governmental organizations and other federal departments.¹ This collaborative approach is intended to ensure that multiple perspectives and expertise inform policy development. A key component of this work is the Crown-indigenous working group, through which ECCC, or Environment and Climate Change Canada, and indigenous partners are working together to examine options related to the management of oil sands mining process water. The outcome of this work will inform recommendations provided to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada. Should a regulation authorizing discharge to water be deemed necessary, it would apply only to mine water that has been treated to strict standards, designed to protect the environment, human health and the well-being of indigenous people. Under no circumstances would the releasing of tailings or untreated mine water be permitted. Engagement with partners and stakeholders will continue as considerations advance, Vague promiseif applicable, through the development of any regulatory measures. In addition, Environment and Climate Change Canada, on behalf of the federal government, jointly leads the oil sands monitoring program with the Government of Alberta, in partnership with indigenous communities and industry.² This program aims to improve understanding of the environmental effects of oil sands development through comprehensive ambient monitoring within the region. Monitoring results and reports are made publicly accessible through the oil sands monitoring program portal.³ In August 2024, the Government of Canada announced that it would make available nearly $12 million over 10 years to support a Fort Chipewyan health study examining the potential impacts of oil sands activities on community health.⁴ Nations have begun this work. Canada is dedicated to supporting a community-led, transparent and science-based approach to assessing health risks, with indigenous nations leading decision-making on issues that affect their well-being. Safeguarding the health of communities and the integrity of Canada’s waters and ecosystems is a fundamental responsibility of this government now and into the future. Addressing the risks associated with tailings management requires sustained effort, collaboration and solutions grounded in sound science. Promise · 25 wordsThis work is ongoing, and the government will continue to consider and be guided by the recommendations that emerge from all of these collaborative processes.Vague promise

At a glance

Lost points for
AnsweredOf this reply, 100% addressed the question or point raised.

Switch Claims on to list the checkable claims here.

What the tags mean

Signal · 89

2 of 5 deductions are Signal

Signal checks whether every part makes a point, gives a reason, or asks for action. A low score means the speaker filled time with fluff, pleasantries, or attacks.

Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “it is my first time rising in the House since we have come back,”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.
Greetings and pleasantries.What the tags mean “and I am very excited to be back.”A greeting: no claim, reason or ask.

Relevance · 100

0 of 5 deductions are Relevance

Relevance checks whether the speaker stays on topic and answers the question asked. A low score means the speaker dodged the issue. Measured against the question on notice, as the member's speech raises it.

Nothing lost points.

Respect · 100

0 of 5 deductions are Respect

Respect checks whether the speaker argued with people’s positions and records rather than attacking the people: insults, mockery, or bad motives assigned to them. Criticism of what someone did, however strong, is not marked.

Nothing lost points.

Clarity · 81

3 of 5 deductions are Clarity

Clarity checks for plain speaking, clear ownership of actions, and honest limits on certainty. A low score means vague promises or evasive language.

Wording that hides who did something, or who will.What the tags mean “are taken seriously”The passive names no actor, leaving unclear who takes these issues seriously or how.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “will continue”A commitment to keep engaging with no date, measure or success condition attached.
A promise with no date, no measure and no one responsible.What the tags mean “will continue to consider”The promise is only to consider recommendations, naming no action, date or measure.

Claims · 4

This list shows the factual statements you can check for yourself: the words as said, and the claim restated to stand on its own.

1“Environment and Climate Change Canada is advancing its work on oil sands mining effluent through ongoing structured engagement”Environment and Climate Change Canada is conducting ongoing structured engagement on oil sands mining effluent with indigenous rights holders, Alberta, the Northwest Territories, industry and environmental organizations.search
2“jointly leads the oil sands monitoring program with the Government of Alberta, in partnership with indigenous communities and industry”Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Government of Alberta jointly lead the oil sands monitoring program in partnership with indigenous communities and industry.search
3“Monitoring results and reports are made publicly accessible through the oil sands monitoring program portal”Monitoring results and reports from the oil sands monitoring program are publicly accessible through its portal.search
4“In August 2024, the Government of Canada announced that it would make available nearly $12 million over 10 years to support a Fort Chipewyan health study”In August 2024 the Government of Canada announced nearly $12 million over 10 years to support a Fort Chipewyan health study on potential impacts of oil sands activities on community health.search

Analysed on 2026-10-20