Alta. families invited to testify on Keystone XL Pipeline

Some northern Alberta families have been invited totestify at U.S. Senate hearings on the Keystone XL pipeline.

The families say they've been driven from their homes by healthproblems they blame on odours from Baytex Energy operations in theirarea.

Brian Labreque, one of the residents invited to Washington, saysthey haven't decided yet whether to go.

He says they're wary of being used for political goals they don'tnecessarily share.

He adds they're not against operators in the oilsands industrywho have gone above and beyond what's required of them.

Alberta's energy regulator has ordered Baytex Energy to clean upits operations near Peace River, saying the pungent smells from itsfacilities could be damaging the health of local residents.

Labreque says seven families have moved after reporting severeheadaches, dizziness, sinus congestion, musclespasms, popping ears,memory loss, numbness, constipation, diarrhea, vomiting, eyetwitching and fatigue.