EDMONTON - A survey of political candidates shows the majority of respondents believe the government should suspend new oilsands project approvals until environmental and infrastructure issues have been resolved. This includes almost half of the Conservatives who responded.

The survey was commissioned by the Pembina Institute, an Alberta-based environmental think-tank.

The organization wanted to highlight that oilsands development underlies a host of pressing issues in Alberta, everything from a shortage of affordable housing to growing greenhouse gas emissions, said Dan Woynillowicz, an institute director.

Response rates to the survey ranged from a high of 71 per cent from the NDP to 24 per cent from the Conservatives.

Woynillowicz said there were different responses from candidates even within parties, showing that candidates took the time to respond based on how they felt they could best represent their constituents.

He was disappointed, though, that none of the party leaders responded to the survey.

The full responses for each of the participating candidates are available to be viewed online at www.oilsandswatch.org/survey.

These are not good news