A federally-commissioned oil sands advisory panel, which includes Queen’s biology professor John Smol, says the establishment of a credible monitoring system is fundamental to the long-term viability of the Alberta oil sands.

“The oil sands needs a world-class and scientifically respected aquatic monitoring system,” says Dr. Smol. “I hope our comments and suggestions for improvement will be taken constructively. I fully acknowledge that effective environmental monitoring in this region is not an easy or simple task, but then important endeavours rarely are. ”

Environment Minister John Baird released the report today in Ottawa and said the government has “heard the panel’s message loud and clear.”

The report also notes that science must trump politics when it comes to assessing the environmental impact of the oil sands.

The panel of six of Canada’s leading scientists was formed two months ago and also includes Elizabeth Dowdeswell (panel chair), Peter Dillon (Trent University), Subhasis Ghoshal (McGill University), Andrew Miall (University of Toronto) and Joseph Rasmussen (University of Lethbridge).