EDMONTON – A labour group is accusing Alberta of boosting spending on public relations while cutting spending on environmental monitoring.

The Alberta Federation of Labour says since 2003 the provincial government has cut the amount it spends on environmental monitoring, compliance and enforcement by 26 per cent.

During the same time the federation says spending on public relations went up 54 per cent.

AFL President Gil McGowan says the province now leaves most of the monitoring work to industry.

He says recent reports by scientists on water quality downstream of the oilsands shows the industry is not well-equipped to keep tabs on itself.

Alberta Environment officials were not immediately available for comment.

Metro News (Canadian Press), Thurs Sept 24 2010