Future Fort Chip health study possible: Mandel – Fort McMurray Today

January 21, 2015

ealth study of aboriginal communities downstream from the oilsands will not be dismissed by the province, says Alberta Health Minister Stephen Mandel, but it is “premature” to begin planning one or speculating on what one would look like.

After a Tuesday tour of the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre, Mandel met chiefs Allan Adam and Steve Courtoreille to discuss health concerns the Fort Chipewyan leaders had in their communities.

The most vocal concern the two chiefs had surrounded water and air quality for the community. Mandel says the province will not dismiss a comprehensive health study, similar to one Dr. John O’Connor has been demanding, but current data is insufficient to justify one.

“There’s a bit more information we would need to get,” said Mandel. “It’s a bit premature to make decisions about that.”

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