Emails show how oil patch lobbied Alberta Energy Regulator for coronavirus relief. In some cases, the regulator granted relief that was not requested, Suncor said globalnews.ca/news/7185882/c… #abpoli #ableg #aer
Here was the email sent on April 15 by a senior Suncor lawyer to the AER’s executive VP of operations. 
About an hour later, the VP forwarded the message to the chief executive of the AER with a note: “This is an example of the comms we are receiving from industry.”
Five days later, the VP emailed the Suncor official and another senior official from Syncrude with a proposal.
And a few minutes after sending that note, he forwarded it to his boss, AER Chief Executive Laurie Pushor and Bev Yee, the deputy minister of Alberta Environment and Parks, noting that the two oil companies were “happy progress was being made.”
... he also confirmed he had made a commitment during his phone call with the two oil patch executives.
The AER censored its analysis of the requests for relief and other deliberations. It cited sections of freedom of information legislation that allow provincial organizations to withhold internal advice and details that could damage intergovernmental relations.
The records don’t appear to show any consultation with scientists or public health experts about the risks of COVID-19 or about the consequences of suspending monitoring requirements.
However, in a partially censored briefing, sent to AER CEO Laurie Pushor, someone at the regulator confirmed some of the requests for relief were “purely economic issues” and not necessarily related to stopping the coronavirus.
Syncrude told me that none of its own requests to the AER for regulatory relief were economic in nature.
First Nations leaders in northern Alberta say they believe the regulator’s actions were inappropriate.
Chief Allan Adam from the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation believes the decisions to suspend monitoring requirements were “inappropriate and unlawful.”
“At a minimum, ACFN and other affected First Nations should have been consulted.”
“The fact that a public regulator appears to have not only consulted, but actively collaborated with private industry without the knowledge or involvement of affected First Nations or the people of Alberta is deeply troubling.”
“It suggests that the primary interests being considered are those of the industry,” Adam added.
After the First Nations launched an appeal of the unilateral decision of the AER to temporarily change the rules, provincial officials announced that the suspensions would be lifted on July 15.
AER CEO Laurie Pushor also wrote to four of the First Nations on June 23 to express “regret” over what happened, while offering to meet with the Indigenous leaders.
Three weeks later, the First Nations said they still hadn’t heard from the regulator to set up that meeting.
Chief Mel Grandjamb from the Fort McKay First Nation said there’s a simple solution: “AER could simply acknowledge that First Nations have constitutional rights it cannot ignore and pick up the phone. It should not be onerous to forge a working relationship.”
Meantime, the AER said it remains in regular contact with other government and industry officials to stay on top of coronavirus emergency response.
Alberta Opposition NDP Leader Rachel Notley says the revelations in our report are “very troubling” - calling into question the integrity of the regulator and government.
We've updated our article with the NDP leader's response to our report: globalnews.ca/news/7185882/c…
