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“We are giving operators more time to get routine information to us during the COVID pandemic, as some of their staff are self-isolating or otherwise working from home in accordance with the recommendations of the chief medical officer of health.”

Monitoring will continue, environmental data is still being collected and any results found out of the ordinary still need to be reported to the ministry, Sinclair said.

Rule changes could leave gaps in environmental protection

The rule change won’t apply to major accidents, spills or hazardous leaks, which companies are legally obligated to report to the government, said Shaun Fluker, a law professor at the University of Calgary.

However, he warned the potential effects of such a blanket order could be severe.

“If somebody takes more water than they are supposed to, for example, that’s not going to have an immediate emergency or hazardous result, but the standard is there because on a cumulative basis … it (could) start to create risks,” said Fluker.

While some companies might need relief, the minister’s orders don’t require them to substantiate that claim, he said. And, it’s unlikely the gaps in data collection and reporting will ever be retroactively filled, Fluker said.

Marlin Schmidt, NDP Opposition environment critic, said Alberta needs environmental protection at all times — especially for people living near and around industrial sites.

“The UCP did this without warning, and they did this in the middle of a global pandemic at a time when many Albertans are so focused on basic health and security,” said Schmidt.