Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM)

The Alberta Environmental Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting Agency (AEMERA) assumed provincial responsibility for the Joint Canada-Alberta Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) upon the proclamation of the Protecting Alberta’s Environment Act, establishing the agency, on April 28, 2014.

The Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) commits to a new, integrated, and transparent environmental monitoring program, starting in the oil sands region, that will be one of the most progressive and comprehensive of any industrially-developed region in the world. It will improve our understanding of the current state of the environment and enhance our ability to detect environmental change and manage cumulative effects.

jointoilsandsmonitoring.ca

how is this different?

In the past, monitoring programs and networks were set up independently of each other to meet specific needs. Alberta’s cumulative effects management approach enhances, improves, and integrates relevant parts of existing monitoring efforts to give government and industry the scientific foundation necessary to ensure the environmentally sustainable development of the oil sands. This is consistent with the Government of Alberta’s plans for a province-wide environmental monitoring system.

engagement

The governments of Alberta and Canada committed to engage with Aboriginal Peoples, industry, scientists, and stakeholders on the Implementation Plan.

The commitment to engage was fulfilled, in part, through multi-stakeholder forums. Forums were one mechanism, through which the governments of Canada and Alberta shared information and sought feedback from stakeholders on implementation progress including: monitoring results and priorities, data management, as well as engagement activities. The forums brought together representatives from the three levels of government, oil sands industry, First Nations and Métis organizations, non-governmental organizations, and academia.

• In 2013/2014 two forums were held in June and December 2013.

• In 2014/2015 two forums were held in June and November 2014.

standards and protocols

The Joint Canada-Alberta Implementation Plan for Oil Sands Monitoring (JOSM) was published in 2012 with the purpose of putting in place a world class, scientifically rigorous, comprehensive, integrated and transparent environmental monitoring system for the oil sands, to provide assurance of environmentally responsible development of the imporant national resource. The Implementation Plan follows an integrated approach with monitoring in four main component areas including Air Quality, Water, Wildlife Contaminants and Toxicology, and Biodiversity and Habitat.

AEMERA, with support from JOSM partners and service providers, established a comprehensive inventory of monitoring standards and protocols for air, water, and biodiversity (including wildlife contaminants and toxicology)