A survey compiled by two environmental groups, the Canadian Environmental Law Association and Environmental Defence reveals Alberta industries were Canada’s top greenhouse-gas emitters in 2005, accounting for nearly 40 per cent of all the climate-warming gases released that year by major corporations.

Besides plants operated by Syncrude Canada and Suncor Energy in the tar sands, Alberta has five fossil-fuel-fired generating stations in the top 10. The runner-up Ontario has two facilities in the top 10.

The survey, based on an analysis of pollution data filed by companies to Environment Canada, found that Alberta businesses far outpaced those of the next-biggest greenhouse-gas emitter, Ontario, which accounted for 28 per cent of the total, and third-ranked Saskatchewan, with 8 per cent.

When it comes to corporate greenhouse-gas releases, Alberta is in a league of its own and would be the most affected by any federal regulations that would cut industrial emissions of gases blamed for global warming.

The website PollutionWatch compiled figures from the federal government and found toxic pollutants being released into the country’s air continued to rise dramatically in the past decade (125%), prompting renewed calls for strict, mandatory limits on industrial polluters.

Reference: New Pollution Data Show Need for Urgent Parliamentary Action on Air PollutantsGlobe and Mail