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Alberta company fined $1.775 million for exposing blue herons to bitumen

January 10, 2019 1:45am

An Alberta company will have to pay a fine of $1.775 million for exposing blue herons to bitumen which led to their death.

Four year ago, wildlife enforcement officers received a report of 31 deceased great blue herons that were exposed to bitumen at the Syncrude Canada Ltd. Mildred Lake facility.

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s investigation confirmed 31 great blue herons were found in an abandoned sump, and 30 of the birds were deceased upon discovery.

On January 2, 2019, Syncrude Canada Ltd. pleaded guilty in the Provincial Court of Alberta to one count of violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. 

Syncrude Canada Ltd. was sentenced to pay a fine of $1.775 million, which will go the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.

Syncrude Canada Ltd. was charged with depositing a substance that is harmful to migratory birds or permitting the deposit of such a substance in waters or an area frequented by migratory birds or in a place from which the substance may enter such waters or such an area.

Syncrude Canada Ltd. also pleaded guilty to one charge under the provincial Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act and was sentenced to pay a fine of $975,000.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment.

Call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) to anonymously report wildlife crimes. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000 from Crime Stoppers.

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Theodora Carroll says

    January 10, 2019 at 9:38 pm

    About time that oil and gas corporations started to pay for the clean-up of the enormous messes they have made to the detriment of the environment, human health, and the existence and survival of our amazing wildlife. Governments have been lax in imposing clean-up costs on these corporations. This recent action by governments at all levels is a start. But citizens and thoughtful organizations will still have to monitor the oil & gas actions, plus governments’ actions, and continue to make them completely accountable . Don’t let them off the hook any longer..

  2. Frances montgomery says

    January 11, 2019 at 1:25 pm

    Surely these company’s are made to clean up their ponds before they make new ones???
    I visualize these disgusting ponds all over the Province of Alberta destroying what was a beautiful part of the world

  3. Jeff mckenzie says

    January 18, 2019 at 4:11 pm

    Gagan. This is a Squamish newspaper with Squamish issues and with local flavour. What does this article have to do with Squamish. How about reporting on the District of Squamish and how, this week they used District funds to hire a company to trim trees and schrubs and provide traffic control for more than a week and provide fill and levelling for PARKING for 2 stratas. These stratas on Mamquam Rd have a parking problems because they use their garages for storage or businesses or Air B&B and then have to park on the street . Why does the taxpayer pay for parking for these units. Now there is a local story for you to dig into!

    • Theodora Carroll says

      January 19, 2019 at 10:23 am

      One does not obviate the other. We need articles that take us beyond our immediate neighbourhoods and selfish selves, because what happens to the magnificent blue herons can and will happen to our wonderful eagles (and other local birds). We also need the articles to show what is happening very locally and the sheer waste of our resources by local government. Good for The Reporter and Gagan reporting on different areas of the same spectrum.

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