More than 1,600 ducks died after landing on a Syncrude tailings pond in northern Alberta on April 28, 2008. (Government of Alberta/Todd Powell)

Residents of a northern Alberta First Nation are hoping a guilty verdict against oilsands giant Syncrude will help strengthen their case for tougher environmental laws.

Syncrude was found guilty Friday of not doing enough to protect 1,600 ducks that died in one of the company's tailing ponds in 2008. The company said it was disappointed with the decision, as it regretted the death of the ducks and had taken steps to prevent a similar incident.

George Poitras, a member of the Mikisew Cree First Nation in Fort Chipewyan, Alta., is hoping the guilty verdict will help build a case for people in Fort Chipewyan who say they are getting sick and dying from oilsands pollutants floating downstream.

"That whole trial has really exposed many of the gaping holes in the Alberta and the Canadian regulatory process," Poitras said.

Poitras said the community is struggling with high cancer rates and other health issues that many attribute to toxins from the oilsands upstream.

Dr. John O'Connor, who first reported unusually high cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan in 2006, agreed the guilty verdict is a step in the right direction.

"It's great encouragement for those who have been trying to advocate for the people affected," he said.

"I think it sends a message to industry and to government, both provincial and federal, about the whole sorry mess that exists in northern Alberta right now with regards to tarsands and mining."

Government crackdown urged

Poitras said the federal and provincial governments both need to be more responsible.

He wants more money put into strengthening environmental laws and fewer resources put into promoting investment for the tar sands.

Greenpeace spokesman Mike Hudema also said the guilty verdict is encouraging.

However, he said the government has failed to address concerns about the health impact of living near oilsands projects.

"Why are cancer rates in Fort Chipewyan 30 per cent higher than other communities?" Hudema asked. "Why are people in Fort Saskatchewan visiting the hospital twice as often as other communities?"

Hudema said both governments need to take action to stop such incidents before they happen.

"This is a toxic industry," he said. "The government is completely absent when it comes to trying to bring out any type of enforcement and monitoring.

"They've continually cut back their budget and the number of the people that they have to regulate this industry, and they've let companies monitor and enforce themselves."