Nestled in Alberta’s boreal forest, the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex is a unique ecosystem characterized by expansive peat-forming wetlands, patterned fens, and sinkhole lakes. This area serves as a crucial stopover and breeding ground for migratory birds, including the endangered Whooping Crane, and holds significant cultural value for local Indigenous communities. Additionally, the wetlands act as a substantial carbon sink, storing between 8 to 35 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, and play a vital role in mitigating wildfire risks by maintaining moisture-rich landscapes.
Unfortunately, the McClelland Lake Wetland Complex is overlapped by Suncor Energy’s Fort Hills oil sands mine. Suncor plans to mine approximately half of the wetlands to extract an estimated one billion barrels of bitumen. While Suncor asserts that its operational plan will preserve the ecological function of the remaining wetlands, experts from the Alberta Wilderness Association have identified serious risks and uncertainties with the plan’s effectiveness. Given that mining activities in the wetlands will commence as early as 2031, with preliminary operations starting sooner, there is an urgent need to address these concerns.
In response, Ecojustice is representing Barbara Faichney, to challenge Suncor’s application to renew its licenses and approvals to operate the Fort Hills mine. Ms. Faichney is a member of Fort McKay First Nation, and a lifelong resident of the Fort McKay area. Suncor’s plans will impede her ability to hunt, trap, fish, and access safe drinking water – generally interfering with her preferred means of exercising her Treaty rights.
Ecojustice enlisted two experts to assess Suncor’s permit renewal application. Environmental toxicologist Mandy Olsgard found significant gaps in monitoring and mitigation plans, revealing that Suncor failed to properly assess the project’s environmental impact—violating requirements under AER’s own rules. Worse, observational data confirms ongoing environmental harm and permit violations. Ecojustice urges the AER to reject the application or impose strict conditions, especially for expansion into fragile ecosystems like McClelland Lake.
Fire expert Dr. Sophie Wilkinson uncovered another alarming oversight: Suncor’s plan ignores the risk of catastrophic peat fires. Unlike forest fires, peat fires burn longer, release toxic smoke, and are nearly impossible to extinguish—threatening nearby communities and even urban centers. Yet, this critical risk is absent from Suncor’s application.
Through a Statement of Concern, Ecojustice is pushing for stronger protections for the remaining wetlands. With wildfires growing more severe, preserving McClelland Lake is not just about conservation—it’s about public safety.
