Cree Nations seek damages following 2016 North Saskatchewan River oil spill
Two Cree Nations have filed paperwork to get the ball rolling on a legal battle with the energy company responsible for the 2016 North Saskatchewan River oil spill.
The James Smith Cree Nation, represented by Chief Wally Burns and the Cumberland House Cree Nation, represented by Chief Rene Chaboyer are taking Husky Energy to court, citing damages caused by the oil spill, and allege a lack of willingness to work with them on behalf of Husky in making things right.
In a prepared statement of facts obtained by paNOW, the James Smith Cree Nation alleged Husky was advised to take remediation steps after roughly 250,000 litres of oil mixture was leaked into the North Saskatchewan River on July 21, 2016.
Despite these requests, Husky allegedly “failed or refused to perform remediation steps to mitigate, limit or remove the adverse impact” of the spill according to the statement of facts.