On
January 2, 2019 Syncrude Canada Ltd. pled guilty in the Alberta
Court to one count of violating the Migratory Birds Convention
Act, 1994 along with several provincial charges.
An abandoned sump pond by Syncrude at one of its oilsands mines
north of Fort McMurray resulted in the death of 31 great blue
herons. Syncrude pled guilty and was fined approximately
$2.75 million dollars.
A fine of $1.775 million was imposed for violating the
Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and $975,000 for
violating the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement
Act.
The sump pond, at one point in time, was more than
one kilometre in length, 400 metres wide and eight metres deep.
At the time of the incident the pond had been partially drained and
was dry for several years. According to the various reports,
Syncrude had been unable to complete remediate the pond and it
contained hold liquids, solids and bitumen1.
