Ottawa delays decision on environmentally controversial Jackpine oilsands mine

EDMONTON – Aboriginal groups near the oilsands are cheering a federal government decision to delay a ruling on whether an environmentally controversial mine expansion can go ahead.

Ottawa was supposed to decide by Wednesday on the fate of Shell Canada’s huge Jackpine oilsands expansion.

But a one-sentence notice posted on a government website says the ruling has been delayed until Dec. 11.

The Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation had asked for a 90-day delay.

The band points out an environmental review for the project concluded it would result in severe and irreversible damage.

The First Nation also says the project would violate treaty rights.

It hopes to use the delay to meet with federal ministers to seek changes.