Recently, federal documents have revealed some truths about Alberta’s oilsands industry and the impact that it has been creating on the environment. Officials from Environment Canada reviewed the original documents and warned that it reflected the view of oil companies instead of the facts.

“The package should deliver neutral, balanced and factual information,” said the analysis. “Currently, much of the language is too pro-industry, and would make the government to be perceived as bias and thus not credible or serving the public good.”

The documents warn that some climate change and water quality policies are unproven and could drive up production costs in the oilsands by as much as $20 per barrel of oil, while creating new pollution that affects air quality.

When it comes to greenhouse gas emissions, the document explained that even though the industry has dropped emissions per barrel of oil over the last two decades, the overall emissions have actually tripled since 1990 and is likely to continue to rise.

“The rapid development of the oilsands has led to a number of environmental challenges affecting the land, water and air,” said the analysis.

And while all of this is going on, in a separate report put out by The Canadian Press, The Conference Board of Canada says Alberta’s oilsands shouldn’t be singled out as the reason for the country’s poor record on greenhouse gas emissions. This private sector think tank says road transportation accounted for 18 percent of total Canadian Greenhouse-gas emissions…yes that right the same road transportation the oilsands production is providing the fuel for.