The federal government has called for a review of how water is monitored downstream from Alberta's oil sands.
It's appointed on Thursday a six-scientist panel to report back in sixty days.
Alberta's environment minister Rob Renner says the province has been monitoring the region for some time and announced its own provincial panel last week.
"I think the bottom line in all of this folks is that we welcome any information that will lead us into the development of a better more robust monitoring system," Renner said.
The province and oil sands have been under intense scrutiny over the last few months and the spotlight intensified with a visit this week by Hollywood director James Cameron.
The vice-president of oil sands and markets with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers says the industry is being cooperative.
"The focus on the oil sands is very strong, open and transparent," Greg Stringham says.
Mount Royal University political scientist, Duane Bratt, says the oil sands have become a huge issue for Alberta.
"This is a major employment area, major form of revenue, not just for the people of Alberta but for the government of Alberta. In addition, this is a major driver of the Canadian economy," said Bratt
The provincial panel reports its finding on February 1st.
