N.W.T. water needs greater protection as Alberta merges major river basins, says MLA – CBC

Mar 19, 2026

Northern delegates to talk alternatives to treated tailings release next week

An N.W.T. MLA says the territory needs to fiercely protect treaty rights and territorial waters, amid Alberta’s merger of two major river basins and the proposed treatment and release of oilsands tailings into the environment.

Tu Nedhé-Wiilideh MLA Richard Edjericon successfully proposed a motion in the N.W.T. Legislative Assembly this month, calling for protection of transboundary waters, in response to Alberta’s consolidation of the Peace/Slave and Athabasca River basins into a single management zone.

Alberta’s Water Amendment Act came into force on March 11, and makes it easier to authorize “low-risk” transfers between basins through a ministerial order.

Read More: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/water-nwt-ab-9.7134277