Beneath the Surface

A review of key facts in the oilsands debate

This report examines some common claims about the environmental performance of oilsands producers and the environmental impacts of oilsands production. Many of the claims included in this document are not false, but they selectively present information to minimize the negative impacts of oilsands production or overstate the positive strides that industry or governments have made toward addressing those impacts.

The information presented draws on independent research, public information and expert analysis to put key facts about oilsands production in their proper context.