Federal committee to study Alberta oilsands impact

A parliamentary committee is launching a study on the impact of Alberta's oilsands on Canada's freshwater supplies.

The House of Commons environment committee agreed this week to proceed June 16 with a study.

Liberal MP Francis Scarpaleggia says there's growing concern in Alberta and among Canadians about the effect of the sprawling oilsands on the future of the country's freshwater supplies.

He says the study would have begun earlier, but it was delayed by a Conservative filibuster on a climate-change bill.

Meanwhile, a tiny aboriginal community said Wednesday it's going to court in a bid to force Alberta to consult in a meaningful way with First Nations before approving oilsands projects.

The Chipewyan Prairie Dene First Nation wants the Court of Queen's Bench to block the approval of phase three of MEG Energy Corp.'s Christina Lake project near Fort McMurray until the province agrees to face-to-face talks with band leaders.

Chief Vern Janvier says out-of-control oilsands development is destroying the land, animals and fish that the 500-member band depends on.

Janvier says the band wants the court to stop the Alberta Energy Resources Conservation Board and Alberta Environment from approving the project until their concerns are handled.

Calgary-based MEG Energy is a private oilsands development firm that includes former Alberta premier Peter Lougheed on its board of directors.

The Alberta government and MEG Energy officials could not immediately be reached for comment.