Secretary Darren Daniels promises investigation into MOZAC, “We intend to take the accusations of misconduct seriously”.

Original date of publication: March 9th, 2096

In the aftermath of a massive anti-MOZAC protest in Calgary, the Environmental Affairs Agency (EAA) has announced it will be launching an investigation into the oil company to determine if allegations of misconduct are true.  Stemming from an accident in Edmonton in which an explosion at a refinery killed 4 employees and injured another 2, claims the conglomerate fails to take proper safety and emissions precautions have been increasing.  The lead proponent is the Alberta Labour Party, a left-wing offshoot of the Liberal Party of Alberta, which pushes for more progressive climate actions and reforms in the natural resource sector.  While traditionally a smaller party in Alberta politics, Alex Kendall's attacks on MOZAC are seemingly popular.

During a press conference last Wednesday at the agency's HQ in Toronto, Secretary of the Environment Darren Daniels told reporters that he has ordered the Department of Wildlife and Natural Resources (DWNR) to open an investigation into the Edmonton refinery incident and the company’s wider Canadian operations.  When asked why the federal government had waited so long before addressing the matter Secretary Daniels responded, “We were looking into our options and if enough reasonable grounds are present to launch an investigation.  Ultimately we decided there is.”.  It was also explained that if MOZAC is found guilty the company could be fined millions by the EAA, and be liable to civil suits from families and victims of the refinery explosion.  A press release from MOZAC in response stated the company will fully comply with federal investigators and reaffirmed their innocence.

However, Alberta’s provincial government has argued that a federal investigation is unnecessary and the company had already been cleared of wrongdoing by the Alberta Oil and Natural Gas Commission (AONGC).  Premier MacKenzie Lane explained in an interview with CBC's The National, that while the province may disagree with Toronto they'll assist however needed, “If our fellow Conservatives in Toronto feel the need to investigate, so be it.  My administration wants to resolve this so families can have closure, and the more we assist the DWNR the sooner they'll be able to provide a verdict.”.

Enbridge, Canada's largest oil and natural gas corporation and one of the 3 largest in North America, also saw a temporary 1.7% increase in its share price.  That was attributed to the price drop in MOZAC stock in mid January and many investors seeing the company as a safer choice.  It remains unclear how the announcement of the federal investigation will impact the Canadian oil sector, but experts say it's dependent on the reports findings.