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Dead wildlife at Alberta tailings pond site raises concern

Video vocabulary

the

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US / ðə /

UK / ðə /

A1
  • article
  • Used to refer to something already mentioned
  • Used to show there is only one of something
  • determiner
  • Used to describe all of a family

be

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US / bɪ /

UK / bi /

A1
  • verb
  • Being

and

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US / ənd /

UK / ənd, ən,ænd /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used to refer to two or more things
  • Plus; in addition; on top of that
  • Used to introduce an action that follows another

that

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US / ðæt /

UK / ðæt, ðət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • The person or thing being talked about
  • Used to identify something both the speakers know
  • adverb
  • Used to reinforce adjectives and adverbs
  • To such a degree
  • conjunction
  • Used to connect a noun clause
  • Used to introduce an adverbial clause
  • Used to introduce a noun clause
  • determiner
  • Used as a noun to refer to something
  • pronoun
  • Referring an object far away
  • Used to refer to the relative pronoun ‘which’

have

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US / həv /

UK / hæv /

A1
  • verb
  • To drink, smoke, eat or use something
  • To experience the effects of something
  • To organize an event, or join in an activity
  • To own, possess, or hold something
  • To cause to happen or produce a particular effect

not

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US / nɒt /

UK / nɑt /

A1
  • adverb
  • Word indicating the negative
  • (Used to form the negative of verbs)

for

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US / fə(r) /

UK / fɔr,fə /

A1
  • preposition
  • Used to show the purpose, or need of something

you

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US / jʊ /

UK / ju /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Person someone is speaking or writing to
  • Person or people in general

this

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US / ðɪs /

UK / ðɪs /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to indicate something already been discussed
  • Used to indicate something happening around now
  • adverb
  • An indication by a physical motion or gesture
  • A specific amount of
  • determiner
  • Person, thing, or idea near you
  • pronoun
  • Person, thing that has already been discussed

with

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US / wɪð /

UK / wɪð, wɪθ /

A1
  • preposition
  • As an employee of a certain company
  • Against something or someone
  • By using something as a means
  • Due to; because of
  • Including
  • Possessing as a feature
  • Related to
  • (Of the manner/attitude by which you do something)
  • Used to express that people or things are together

get

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US / ɡet /

UK / ɡɛt /

A1
  • verb
  • To become affected by illness or disease
  • To begin to feel or understand an emotion or idea
  • To send or bring someone or something home, etc.
  • To go somewhere to obtain something
  • To (cause to) do a particular thing
  • To obtain, receive or be given something
  • To currently have
  • To prepare for use
  • To understand something being said or read

but

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US / bət /

UK / bʌt,bət /

A1
  • conjunction
  • Used before you say something different, opposite

can

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US / kæn /

UK / kən,kæn /

A1
  • noun
  • A metal container for storing food
  • other
  • Able to; have the skill to; have the time to
  • verb
  • To have permission to
  • To be possible to do
  • To preserve food by sealing it in a metal container

they

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US / ðeɪ /

UK / ðe /

A1
  • pronoun
  • Two or more people, animals, or things

just

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US / dʒʌst /

UK / dʒʌst /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Proper or appropriate; as is deserved
  • Doing or being what is right or fair
  • Legally correct; having enough evidence
  • adverb
  • Almost; nearly
  • Exactly at the time of
  • Exactly (the same as, like)

what

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US / wɒt /

UK / hwɑt, hwʌt, wɔt, wʌt,hwət, wət /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to a particular amount, or number
  • Used to place emphasis on a particular quality
  • adverb
  • To a certain degree
  • determiner
  • Question words used for asking for information
  • exclamation
  • Used to express excitement, shock, or surprise
  • Used to ask people to repeat something they said
  • pronoun
  • Thing or things that; the same kind as
  • Used to emphasize something you are about to say

will

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US / wɪl /

UK / wɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Desire or choice of someone
  • Document saying who gets your money when you die
  • Strong desire to do something; determination
  • Desire to do something; strong wish to do
  • other
  • Used with verbs to express the future
  • verb
  • To leave property to someone after your death
  • To use mental effort to make something happen
  • Am (is, are) likely to do
  • To influence someone to do something
  • To make something happen by strongly wanting it

go

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US / ɡəʊ /

UK / ɡo /

A1
  • noun
  • A turn in a game
  • verb
  • To attend or be at a place
  • To do an activity
  • To function properly
  • To move or travel to another place

one

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US / wʌn /

UK / wʌn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Used to refer to people generally
  • Being a strong example of (something mentioned)
  • number
  • Number 1
  • pronoun
  • You; we; people in general; someone
  • The thing or person previously referred to

there

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US / ðɛə /

UK / ðɛr /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to illustrate the existence of something
  • In a particular respect
  • In that place or position, at that location

from

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US / frəm /

UK / frʌm, frɑm,frəm /

A1
  • preposition
  • Starting at a particular place, time or level

come

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US / kʌm /

UK / kʌm /

A1
  • verb
  • To arrive at a place
  • (Of mail) to be delivered
  • To move toward someone; go with someone
  • To reach a certain point or state

more

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US / mɔ:(r) /

UK / mɔr, mor /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • In addition; extra
  • Greater in amount, number, or size
  • adverb
  • To a greater degree; in greater quantity
  • For a longer period of time
  • determiner
  • Additional quantity
  • pronoun
  • A greater or additional number

when

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US / wen /

UK / wɛn /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning or during the time something happens
  • adverb
  • Word you use to ask about the time, or day
  • conjunction
  • Although
  • In the event that; if
  • pronoun
  • Which time

now

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US / naʊ /

UK / naʊ /

A1
  • adverb
  • At the present time or moment
  • Right away or in the next possible moment
  • Used to refer to something that just happened
  • Time between the present and a moment in the past
  • conjunction
  • Resulting from or because of something

because

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US / bɪ'kɒz /

UK / bɪˈkɔz, -ˈkʌz /

A1
  • conjunction
  • For a reason

say

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US / seɪ /

UK / se /

A1
  • noun
  • Power to decide or greatly influence something
  • verb
  • To indicate or give information using language
  • To use words to tell your message
  • To ask someone to give information to others

really

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US / ˈri:əli /

UK / ˈriəˌli, ˈrili /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to stress something that is said; definitely
  • In a true or accurate manner
  • Very

way

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US / weɪ /

UK / we /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to emphasize the amount of something
  • noun
  • Particular aspect of something being thought about
  • One of various choices that could be made
  • Particular existing condition or state
  • (Often long) distance or length of time
  • How something is done
  • Route to go to a place
  • Small street
  • Usual behavior, emotions or habits of someone

well

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US / wel /

UK / wɛl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being in a fortunate, good condition or state
  • Healthy and in good condition
  • adverb
  • In an acceptable, proper, or successful manner
  • In a complete, total, or full manner
  • A great and considerable degree
  • In a successful way, in a good or satisfactory way
  • exclamation
  • Used to begin or continue a particular statement
  • Used to show you want to start saying something
  • Used to express that you are waiting for a reply
  • You say this to change the topic of a conversation
  • Used to indicate you are making a final remark
  • noun
  • Long deep hole in the ground to get water
  • verb
  • To cause your eyes to fill with tears

could

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US / kəd /

UK / kʊd /

A1
  • other
  • Past form of 'can' to mean have ability
  • Used to ask for something politely, or to offer

actually

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US / ˈæktʃuəli /

UK / ˈæktʃuəli /

A1
  • adverb
  • Used to add new (often different) information

our

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US / 'aʊə(r) /

UK / aʊr /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to us

two

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US / tu: /

UK / tu /

A1
  • number
  • 2

their

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US / ðɛː /

UK / ðer /

A1
  • determiner
  • Belonging to them

start

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US / stɑ:t /

UK / stɑrt /

A1
  • noun
  • First time or place that a thing exists; beginning
  • First opportunity to achieve something, e.g. a job
  • Sudden action or movement because you are scared
  • other
  • Beginning of something in place or time
  • verb
  • To do, be or happen for the first time; begin
  • To turn something on

find

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US / faɪnd /

UK / faɪnd /

A1
  • noun
  • Object discovered by chance
  • Things that have been discovered from searching
  • verb
  • To become aware of something that is happening
  • To discover or meet by chance
  • To decide if someone is guilty of a crime, or not
  • To learn through study, research, or effort
  • To discover something by looking for it

day

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US / deɪ /

UK / de /

A1
  • noun
  • A period of 24 hours beginning at midnight
  • The period of time when it is light outside
  • Person's name

before

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US / bɪˈfɔ:(r) /

UK / bɪˈfɔr,-ˈfor /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a time earlier than the present; previously
  • conjunction
  • In advance of something happening
  • preposition
  • In front of someone or something

great

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US / ɡreɪt /

UK / ɡret /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Very large in size
  • Very important
  • Very good; fantastic; wonderful
  • adverb
  • Very good; better than before
  • noun
  • Successful and well-admired person

happen

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US / 'hæpən /

UK / ˈhæpən /

A1
  • verb
  • To take place or occur

after

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US / 'ɑ:ftə(r) /

UK / ˈæftɚ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Later than another time, or behind something
  • conjunction
  • Following something before
  • preposition
  • When an event happened or time has passed

same

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US / seɪm /

UK / sem /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Being equal in quality and amount
  • Identical; not different
  • Not changing; constant

place

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US / pleɪs /

UK / ples /

A1
  • noun
  • Particular location, area or region
  • verb
  • To put someone in a particular type of situation
  • To put something in a certain location or position

far

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US / fɑ:(r) /

UK / fɑr /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • A long way away
  • Being a long way away
  • adverb
  • To a large degree or extent

number

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US / ˈnʌmbə(r) /

UK / ˈnʌmbɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Symbols such as 1, 2, 56, 793
  • Particular song or dance performed during a show
  • Total quantity or amount of things
  • verb
  • To put numbers on things
  • To assign a sequence within a group, series, set
  • To claim to be part of a larger group, series, set

both

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US / bəuθ /

UK / boθ /

A1
  • determiner
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time
  • pronoun
  • Used to refer to two things at the same time

its

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US / ɪts /

UK / ɪts /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Referring to or belonging to ‘it’
  • determiner
  • Of something; belonging or related to something
  • other
  • Possessive form of “it”

without

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US / wɪˈðaʊt /

UK / wɪðˈaʊt, wɪθ- /

A1
  • preposition
  • Not with; not having

week

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US / wi:k /

UK / wik /

A1
  • noun
  • Period of seven days from Sunday to Saturday

question

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US / 'kwestʃən /

UK / ˈkwɛstʃən /

A1
  • noun
  • Issue or problems you are dealing with
  • What you ask about; issue
  • verb
  • To ask for or try to get information
  • To have or express concerns or uncertainty

important

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US / ɪmˈpɔ:tnt /

UK / ɪmˈpɔrtnt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Having power or authority
  • Having a big effect on (person, the future)

problem

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US / ˈprɒbləm /

UK / ˈprɑbləm /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Causing trouble
  • noun
  • Something difficult to deal with or causes trouble
  • Question to show understanding of a math concept

small

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US / smɔ:l /

UK / smɔl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Little in size; not big
  • (Of letters) not written in capital letters
  • Being insignificant or minor
  • (Of a business) with few people or things; local
  • (Of voice) being soft and quiet
  • (Of a child) being young

yet

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US / jet /

UK / jɛt /

A1
  • adverb
  • At a later time (used after ‘not’)
  • (Used to emphasize that thing is, will be greater)
  • Eventually; at a future time
  • Until now; up to the present
  • conjunction
  • Adding to what has been said, often as a contrast

include

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US / ɪnˈklu:d /

UK / ɪnˈklud /

A1
  • verb
  • To make someone, something part of a group

wrong

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US / rɒŋ /

UK / rɔŋ, rɑŋ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not morally or socially acceptable
  • Not right, incorrect; not true; bad
  • Being inappropriate or unsuitable
  • noun
  • Action that is harmful, unjust or illegal
  • verb
  • To harm someone or treat someone unfairly

kill

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US / kɪl /

UK / kɪl /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal killed by a person or other animal
  • verb
  • To cause someone to experience a lot of pain
  • To end the life of a person or other living thing
  • To be very funny
  • To prevent something from continuing or operating
  • To do something unimportant to pass time quickly

six

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US / sɪks /

UK / sɪks /

A1
  • number
  • 6

million

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US / ˈmɪljən /

UK / ˈmɪljən /

A1
  • number
  • 1,000,000

grow

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US / ɡrəʊ /

UK / ɡro /

A1
  • verb
  • To get bigger and more mature; make plants do this
  • To improve; to develop better skills over time
  • To develop and become bigger or taller over time

die

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US / daɪ /

UK / daɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Cube with dots numbering 1-6 on it used in games
  • verb
  • To cease to function or work
  • (Of a thing) to stop being used or done
  • (Of a person) to stop living

plan

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US / plæn /

UK / plæn /

A1
  • noun
  • Drawing of how something should be done or made
  • Detailed proposal, set of actions to do something
  • verb
  • To intend to do something in the future
  • To make a detail set of actions to do something

water

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US / 'wɔ:tə(r) /

UK / ˈwɔtɚ, ˈwɑtɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Clear liquid that forms the seas, rivers and rain
  • Large area such as an ocean or sea
  • verb
  • (Of the eyes) to produce tears
  • (Mouth) to become wet at the thought of nice food
  • To pour liquids onto a plant to keep it alive

large

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US / lɑ:dʒ /

UK / lɑ:rdʒ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Big; of great size; broad, tall, wide, or fat

cover

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US / 'kʌvə(r) /

UK / ˈkʌvɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • A different version of another song
  • Bed sheets; blankets
  • (Police or military) protection from attack
  • Amount of money to be paid in an insurance claim
  • Thing you put over something to close or hide it
  • Front and back part of a book or magazine
  • Shelter built to protect from the natural elements
  • verb
  • To record a different version of another song
  • To include as part of its area
  • To put something over something to hide it
  • To discuss a subject in a talk or meeting
  • To form a layer over something so it is hidden
  • To have sufficient funds to pay for something
  • To include something within an agreed limit
  • To report news on TV, radio or in a newspaper
  • (Police or military) to protect from attack
  • To travel a certain distance in a given time
  • To wrap something with something, such as a cloth

ahead

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US / əˈhed /

UK / əˈhɛd /

A2
  • adverb
  • In or toward the front
  • In the future
  • In the lead; winning

area

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US / 'eərɪə /

UK / ˈɛriə /

A1
  • noun
  • Amount of measured space
  • A specific section or space; part of a region
  • A subject or field of study

news

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US / nju:z /

UK / nu:z /

A1
  • noun
  • Broadcast on radio or TV about recent events
  • Information about recent events

challenge

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US / 'tʃælɪndʒ /

UK / ˈtʃæləndʒ /

A2
  • noun
  • An activity you wish to try that may be hard to do
  • Act of formally inviting someone to compete
  • A question to determine correctness of something
  • verb
  • To formally invite someone to compete at something
  • To question the correctness of something

difficult

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US / 'dɪfɪkəlt /

UK / ˈdɪfɪˌkʌlt, -kəlt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Hard; not easy; you need to work hard to do it

company

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US / 'kʌmpənɪ /

UK / ˈkʌmpəni /

A1
  • noun
  • Good feeling from being with someone else
  • A business that sells things or provides services
  • Guests, especially in your home
  • Being with another person rather than alone

release

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US / rɪ'li:s /

UK / rɪ'li:s /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of freeing someone from a duty or burden
  • Introduction of a new product, film, book, etc.
  • Relief from sadness, suffering or trouble
  • Act of freeing from a jail, cage, prison, etc.
  • verb
  • To free someone from a responsibility or burden
  • To allow a film, music etc. to be sold/distributed
  • To allow to leave a jail, cage, etc.; let out
  • To let go of something you are holding

series

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US / ˈsɪəri:z /

UK / ˈsɪriz /

A1
  • noun
  • Set of stories or articles on a particular subject
  • other
  • Number of things that happen one after another

dead

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US / ded /

UK / dɛd /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not alive
  • Being bored or not interested
  • Unable to operate because electricity etc. ran out
  • Being unable to feel, physically or emotionally
  • adverb
  • Completely; absolutely

city

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US / 'sɪtɪ /

UK / ˈsɪti /

A1
  • noun
  • Area with many buildings, roads and people

land

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US / lænd /

UK / lænd /

A1
  • noun
  • Region or country
  • Earth; the ground
  • verb
  • To arrive or cause a boat to arrive at the shore
  • To obtain or get something that you wanted
  • To (cause to) come down to the ground safely
  • To cause to arrive in a specific place or state

clean

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US / kli:n /

UK / klin /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Not marked in any way; blank
  • Done according to the rules or standards; fair
  • Free from disease or sickness
  • Being free from dirt or marks; washed
  • Behaving well; not breaking any rules; legal
  • adverb
  • Completely; entirely
  • verb
  • To make free from dirt or marks; washed
  • To make neat and orderly e.g. a room
  • To remove the inner parts of an animal

death

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US / deθ /

UK / dɛθ /

A2
  • noun
  • When someone dies; the end of life

size

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US / saɪz /

UK / saɪz /

A1
  • noun
  • How big or small a thing is
  • Standard measurements for clothing, shoes
  • verb
  • To make something to fit a particular measurement
  • To organize or group from small to large

report

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US / rɪ'pɔ:t /

UK / rɪˈpɔrt, ˈport /

A1
  • noun
  • Account of the necessary facts and information
  • The telling of news in the media
  • Official statement about something
  • verb
  • To submit a report or bill to the government
  • To write in a newspaper or speak on a news program
  • To state something officially
  • To officially present yourself to an authority
  • To describe something by telling it to others

mine

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US / maɪn /

UK / maɪn /

A1
  • noun
  • A bomb hidden in the ground or the sea
  • Rich source of material or information
  • Place under the ground where coal, etc. is dug out
  • pronoun
  • That thing that belongs to me
  • verb
  • To place a bomb in the ground or the sea
  • To dig into the earth or sea to obtain minerals

blue

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US / blu: /

UK / blu /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Color of the clear sky
  • Feeling sad or down

prove

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US / pru:v /

UK / pruv /

A2
  • verb
  • To demonstrate truth by providing evidence

energy

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US / 'enədʒɪ /

UK / ˈɛnədʒi /

A2
  • noun
  • Physical or mental strength

conversation

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US / ˌkɒnvəˈseɪʃn /

UK / ˌkɑnvɚˈseʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Talking with other people; discussion or chat

require

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US / rɪ'kwaɪə(r) /

UK / rɪˈkwaɪr /

A2
  • verb
  • To demand that someone does something
  • To need to do something, to make it necessary

performance

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US / pə'fɔ:məns /

UK / pɚˈfɔrməns /

A2
  • noun
  • Act of doing something
  • Activity done to entertain an audience

recently

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US / ˈri:sntli /

UK / 'risṇtlɪ /

A1
  • adverb
  • Just a while ago; not long ago

promise

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US / 'prɒmɪs /

UK / ˈprɑmɪs /

A1
  • verb
  • To say you will certainly do something

total

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US / ˈtəʊtl /

UK / ˈtoʊtl /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Complete
  • noun
  • Whole number or amount of something
  • verb
  • To damage a car beyond repair

update

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US / ˌʌpˈdeɪt /

UK / ʌpˈdet /

B1
  • noun
  • Addition of a current version of something
  • New information or data to make more current
  • verb
  • To download the latest version of software
  • To make more current or modern

decade

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US / ˈdekeɪd /

UK / ˈdɛkˌed, dɛˈked /

B1
  • noun
  • Period of 10 years

recent

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US / 'ri:snt /

UK / ˈrisənt /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Happening or beginning not long ago

animal

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US / ˈænɪml /

UK / ˈænəməl /

A1
  • noun
  • A living creature that is not a plant or person

surprise

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US / səˈpraɪz /

UK / sərˈpraɪz /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • That surprises you; not expected
  • noun
  • Something unexpected that slightly shocks you
  • verb
  • To do something that another person didn't expect

discover

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US / dɪˈskʌvə(r) /

UK / dɪˈskʌvɚ /

A2
  • verb
  • To find something new that was not known before

address

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US / ə'dres /

UK / əˈdrɛs /

A1
  • noun
  • Exact street location of a place
  • A formal speech to a group of people
  • verb
  • To write the place someone lives on a letter
  • To refer to someone or something formally
  • To make a formal speech to a group of people
  • To try to find a solution to; think about

reality

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US / rɪ'ælətɪ /

UK / riˈælɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • What is true, as opposed to what is imagined

waste

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US / weɪst /

UK / west /

A2
  • noun
  • Materials left over after a process has finished
  • verb
  • To kill or severely harm someone
  • To use valuable things ineffectively

global

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US / ˈgləʊbl /

UK / ˈgloʊbl /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning, involving, affecting all of something
  • Of, affecting, or involving the entire world

concern

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US / kənˈsɜ:n /

UK / kənˈsɚn /

A2
  • noun
  • Company, firm or business
  • Feeling of worry or anxiety
  • verb
  • To be about a particular topic
  • To have a direct impact on someone
  • To be responsible or mixed up in; to be involved
  • To feel worry or anxiety

crack

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US / kræk /

UK / kræk /

B1
  • noun
  • Attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • Unexpected and hard hit to the body
  • Joke or impolite comment about something
  • Sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • Small gap between two things or parts of things
  • verb
  • To attempt to achieve a goal or objective
  • To hit someone or something hard and unexpectedly
  • To tell (a joke)
  • To solve a challenging problem or mystery
  • To make a sound that is short, unexpected and loud
  • To lose control, e.g. under pressure; break down
  • To break so lines appear, but it is not in pieces

solution

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US / səˈlu:ʃn /

UK / səˈluʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Mix of a liquid and a solid or a gas
  • Way to solve or deal with a problem

solve

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US / sɒlv /

UK / sɑ:lv /

A2
  • verb
  • To figure out a way to handle a difficult problem

site

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US / saɪt /

UK / saɪt /

A2
  • noun
  • Place that is reserved for a particular activity
  • Location of building work
  • Location of something
  • Place where something of special interest happened
  • Website
  • verb
  • To place something in a particular position, area

oil

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US / ɔɪl /

UK / ɔɪl /

A2
  • noun
  • A liquid used for frying foods
  • Thick, black liquid in the ground used as fuel
  • verb
  • To add a liquid for frying foods
  • To put liquid in a machine so it will run smoothly

active

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US / ˈæktɪv /

UK / ˈæktɪv /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Moving around a lot or doing many things

statement

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US / ˈsteɪtmənt /

UK / ˈstetmənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Record of activity in a bank account over time
  • Act or process of saying something formally

operate

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US / ˈɒpəreɪt /

UK / ˈɑ:pəreɪt /

A1
  • verb
  • To control or handle something, such as a machine
  • To control or manage something such as a business
  • To be working or being used
  • To perform surgery on someone

north

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US / nɔ:θ /

UK / nɔ:rθ /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Coming from the opposite direction to the south
  • noun
  • Direction to your left when facing the rising sun

bird

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US / bɜ:d /

UK / bɜ:rd /

A1
  • noun
  • Animal with feathers that uses wings to fly

originally

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US / əˈrɪdʒənəli /

UK / əˈrɪdʒənəli /

A2
  • adverb
  • At first; in the beginning
  • In a new and unique manner

pool

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US / pu:l /

UK / pul /

A2
  • noun
  • Amount collected, e.g. money, for some purpose
  • Small body of still water
  • Game of hitting balls on a table with long sticks
  • Small area of water for swimming bound by walls
  • verb
  • (Of a liquid) to collect into a small area
  • To make a collection of (resources, money etc.)

west

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US / west /

UK / wɛst /

A1
  • noun
  • Person's name
  • Direction that the sun sets
  • Western civilization (e.g. Europe, North America)

protection

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US / prəˈtekʃn /

UK / prəˈtɛkʃən /

A2
  • noun
  • Being kept from harm
  • Something that defends against harm or danger

apologize

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US / ə'pɒlədʒaɪz /

UK / əˈpɑləˌdʒaɪz /

A2
  • verb
  • To say sorry because of a mistake or injury

deadly

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US / ˈdedli /

UK / ˈdɛdli /

A2
  • adjecitve
  • Causing or capable of causing death
  • Being very accurate

leak

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US / li:k /

UK / lik /

B1
  • noun
  • Act of (gas, liquid) escaping through a small hole
  • Information released that wasn't supposed to be
  • verb
  • (Of a tire) to have air, liquid escaping; (Of air)
  • To make secret information public
  • (Liquid) to go out of/get in through crack/opening

disappointed

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US / ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd /

UK / ˌdɪsəˈpɔɪntɪd /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Feeling you did not meet expectations
  • verb
  • To not meet the expectations of others or yourself

sand

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US / sænd /

UK / sænd /

A2
  • noun
  • Area composed of tiny pieces of rock near an ocean
  • Small pieces of rock that make beaches and deserts
  • verb
  • To cover a surface with grit e.g. roads
  • To smoothen a surface with sandpaper

investigate

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US / ɪn'vestɪɡeɪt /

UK / ɪnˈvɛstɪˌɡet /

A2
  • verb
  • To try to find out facts; to carry out research

investigation

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US / ɪnˌvestɪ'ɡeɪʃn /

UK / ɪnˌvɛstɪˈɡeʃən /

B1
  • noun
  • Search for information about something

bat

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US / bæt /

UK / bæt /

A2
  • noun
  • Small flying mouse-like animal with wings
  • Object used for hitting a ball in various games
  • verb
  • To use a wooden stick in baseball or cricket

incident

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US / ˈɪnsɪdənt /

UK / ˈɪnsɪdənt /

A2
  • noun
  • Event, usually unusual or important; accident

forest

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US / 'fɒrɪst /

UK / ˈfɔrɪst, ˈfɑr- /

A1
  • noun
  • Large area with many trees

kilometre

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US / ˈkɪləmi:tə(r) /

UK / ˈkɪləmiːtər /

A1
  • noun
  • A metric unit of length equal to 1000 metres

canada

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US / 'kænədə /

UK / ˈkænədə /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A country in northern North America, the second largest country in the world; population 35,900,000

lake

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US / leɪk /

UK / lek /

A2
  • noun
  • Large area of water surrounded by land

spill

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US / spɪl /

UK / spɪl /

B1
  • noun
  • Accident when someone falls
  • Act of allowing a fluid to escape
  • verb
  • To come out of and spread beyond limits
  • To cause (blood) to flow from body, as by killing
  • To tell secrets or let information escape
  • To cause a liquid to fall out of its container
  • To come out of a holding container

duck

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US / dʌk /

UK / dʌk /

B1
  • noun
  • Common type of water bird
  • someone's face when their lips are pushed outwards, especially in photographs
  • verb
  • To avoid doing something that is difficult
  • To lower your head to avoid hitting something

op

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US / ɒp /

UK / ɑːp /

B2
  • noun
  • Shortened form of of 'medical operation'

curl

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US / kɜ:l /

UK / kɚrl /

B2
  • noun
  • Something that has the shape of a curve or ring
  • verb
  • To form something into a round or curved shape
  • To become curved around the edges

committee

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US / kəˈmɪti /

UK / kəˈmɪti /

A2
  • noun
  • Group of people who do or decide something

saturday

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US / ˈsætədeɪ /

UK / ˈsætərdeɪ /

A1
  • noun
  • Sixth day of the week; the day after Friday

radar

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US / ˈreɪdɑ:(r) /

UK / ˈredɑr /

B2
  • noun
  • Radio device used to find the location of objects

cannon

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US / 'kænən /

UK / ˈkænən /

B2
  • noun
  • Large wheeled gun that fires heavy metal balls
  • verb
  • To hit and bounce off

nut

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US / nʌt /

UK / nʌt /

A2
  • noun
  • Metal ring screwed onto a bolt
  • Person who is extremely interested in something
  • Small, dry fruit protected by a hard shell
  • Person who is crazy, strange
  • verb
  • To strike someone hard with your head

pond

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US / pɒnd /

UK / pɑ:nd /

A2
  • noun
  • Pool of water that is smaller than a lake

wildlife

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US / ˈwaɪldlaɪf /

UK / ˈwaɪldˌlaɪf /

B1
  • noun
  • All wild animals

viable

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US / ˈvaɪəbl /

UK / ˈvaɪəbəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Being capable of living, growing, and developing

ceo

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US / ˌsiː iː ˈəʊ /

UK / ˌsiː iː ˈoʊ /

C2
  • abbreviation
  • CEO for Chief Operating Officer

litre

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US / ˈli:tə(r) /

UK / ˈlitɚ /

A1
  • noun
  • Metric unit for measuring liquid or gas

fort

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US / fɔ:t /

UK / fɔ:rt /

B1
  • noun
  • Group of military buildings with high walls

regulator

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US / ˈregjuleɪtə(r) /

UK / ˈrɛɡjəˌletɚ /

A2
  • noun
  • Device controlling the amount, speed, or level
  • Official who makes sure rules are followed

imperial

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US / ɪmˈpɪəriəl /

UK / ɪmˈpɪriəl /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Of an empire or an emperor

parliamentary

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US / ˌpɑ:ləˈmentri /

UK / ˌpɑ:rləˈmentri /

B1
  • adjecitve
  • Related to, or suitable for, a parliament

heather

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US / ˈheðə(r) /

UK / ˈhɛðɚ /

C2
  • noun
  • Purple flower that grows on moors

calgary

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US / 'kælɡərɪ /

UK / 'kælɡərɪ /

A1
  • proper noun
  • A city in southern Alberta, southwestern Canada; population 988,193 (2006).

stakeholder

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US / ˈsteɪkhəʊldə(r) /

UK / ˈsteɪkhoʊldə(r) /

C2
  • noun
  • Someone who holds a financial share of a business

deterrent

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US / dɪˈterənt /

UK / dɪˈtə:rənt, -ˈtʌr- /

B2
  • noun
  • Something stopping people wanting to do something

wastewater

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US / 'weɪstwɔ:tə(r) /

UK / 'weɪstwɔ:tər /

A1
  • noun

heron

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US / 'herən /

UK / ˈhɛrən /

B2
  • noun
  • Big water bird with a long neck and long legs

vole

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US / vəul /

UK / vol /

C2
  • noun
  • Small rodent inhabiting fields or meadows

boreal

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US / 'bɔ:ri:l /

UK / 'bɔ:ri:l /

A1
  • adjecitve
  • Concerning the north wind; toward or located in the north

muskrat

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US / ˈmʌskræt /

UK / 'mʌskræt /

A1
  • noun
  • Brown fur of a muskrat; beaver-like aquatic rodent of North America with dark glossy brown fur

mcmurray

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US / məkˈmɜreɪ /

UK / /

A1

sedimentation

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US / ˌsedɪmenˈteɪʃn /

UK / ˌsedɪmenˈteɪʃn /

B2
  • noun
  • Accumulation of sediment or gravel

tailing

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US / 'teɪlɪŋ /

UK / 'teɪlɪŋ /

A2
  • verb
  • To be end of (a march or parade, line)
  • To follow someone secretly and watch what they do

aer

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US / /

UK / /

A1
  • other
  • Introduction to Video Content
  • Dead wildlife at Alberta tailings pond site raises concern
    The issue of tailings ponds in the oil sands industry has long been a challenging problem. These pools of waste water now stretch across vast areas of Alberta's boreal forest, presenting a threat to local wildlife. Recently, a disturbing incident occurred at one of Suncor's tailings sites, where numerous dead animals were discovered.
    Initially, the energy regulator reported that Suncor found 32 birds at the site, located 28 kilometers north of Fort McMurray. However, upon further investigation, the company revised the total to 43 birds, two muskrats, one bat, and one vole. Unfortunately, deadly bird landings on tailings ponds are not uncommon and have been happening for decades.
    In 2008, Syncrude's tailings pond claimed the lives of 1,600 ducks that landed on it. Similarly, in 2015, 31 great blue herons were killed at a Syncrude oil sands mine site. More recently, in 2020, 50 birds died after landing on a site operated by Imperial Oil. These incidents highlight the need for oil sands companies to have bird protection plans in place for their operations.
    Suncor, in its defense, claims to have implemented bird deterrents such as cannons and radar at its tailings site. Both Suncor and the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) are currently investigating what went wrong in this case. It is worth noting that Suncor's problems do not end with the dead wildlife incident. Earlier in the same week, the company reported a release of six million litres of wastewater from a sedimentation pond. Additionally, the CEO of Imperial Oil recently offered an apology before a parliamentary committee for a series of leaks at its Curl Lake site.
    Clearly, the issue of tailings ponds extends beyond wildlife deaths and wastewater leaks. These ponds pose an ongoing environmental challenge, with no viable solution currently in sight. The wastewater covers an area equivalent to the size of a small city, and there is no known way to effectively clean it up. As a result, addressing the problem of tailings ponds remains a significant concern for companies like Suncor, as well as their stakeholders.
    In conclusion, the recent incident involving dead wildlife at a Suncor tailings pond site serves as a stark reminder of the serious consequences associated with these pools of waste water. With no clear solution available, it is crucial for oil sands companies to prioritize the protection of local wildlife and the environment in their operations. Efforts must be made to prevent further incidents and address the ongoing challenge of tailings ponds.
  • Subtitles section
  • Addressing the tailings challenge is important to us as a company and to our stakeholders.
  • For companies in the oil sands, the problem of tailings ponds has proven to be a difficult nut to crack.
  • The pools of waste water now cover large areas of the boreal forest.
  • And on Saturday, Alberta's energy regulator reported that at one of Suncor's tailings sites, a number of animals had been discovered dead.
  • Originally, the regulator said the company found 32 birds at the tailings site 28 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
  • But after further investigation, the company updated the total to 43 birds, two muskrats, one bat and one vole.
  • It wasn't a surprise because deadly bird landings on tailings ponds have been happening.
  • They've actually been reported for decades.
  • 1,600 ducks died when they landed on a tailings pond operated by Syncrude in 2008.
  • And 31 great blue herons were killed at a Syncrude oil sands mine site in 2015.
  • More recently, 50 birds were killed after landing on a site operated by Imperial Oil in 2020.
  • Oil sands are required to have bird protection plans in place for their operations.
  • And in a statement, Suncor says its bird deterrents, including cannons and radar, were active.
  • Both Suncor and the AER are investigating what went wrong.
  • The incident comes in the same week that Suncor reported a release of six million litres from a sedimentation pond.
  • And just days after the CEO of Imperial Oil apologised before a parliamentary committee for a series of leaks at its site at Curl Lake.
  • We are disappointed in this recent performance.
  • We can and will do better.
  • I promise you that.
  • But the reality is the problem of tailings ponds has no solution yet.
  • The wastewater covers an area the size of a small city with no viable way to clean it up.
  • That clean up question is one that Canada hasn't solved and we've really got to start this conversation now.
  • Because without that conversation, there's growing concern.
  • More leaks, spills and wildlife deaths could be ahead.
  • Heather Urex West, Global News, Calgary.