March 05, 2009

Can New Pollution Bill be Trusted When Present Laws Are Ignored?

Environment Canada News Release
New Enforcement Legislation Cracks Down On Environmental Offenders

Ottawa -- March 4, 2009 -- Cracking down on polluters, poachers and wildlife smugglers through increased fines and new enforcement tools are the main elements of the Environmental Enforcement Bill introduced in the House of Commons today by Environment Minister Jim Prentice.

I hate to be negative because overall this sounds like a great move; however, the problem is even present laws are not being enforced, so will this change anything?

One example: In October 2007, John Mathews Creek in Burnaby, BC, turned orange and fluorescent yellow after someone poured a toxic chemical down a storm drain. Here we are 17 months later, and apparently nobody has been charged.

John Mathews Creek runs into Byrne Creek and then into the Fraser River, so the contamination was widespread. It occurred just as salmon were returning to spawn in Byrne Creek. When streamkeepers recently called the Canadian Environment Ministry about progress in the case, they were told to file a Freedom of Information request if they wanted to pursue the matter. Apparently the City of Burnaby got the same response. This is our national government, using our tax money, "at work." Hah!

Now let's review a few points:

  • Said "someone" was caught red-handed
  • The pH of the creek was running 3
  • Dead fish were collected
  • City of Burnaby environmental staff were called in and were on scene
  • British Columbia Environment Ministry staff were called in and were on scene
  • Samples were collected

And here we are, a year-and-a-half later, and our designated national protectors of the environment have apparently yet to accomplish anything, and refuse to speak to the tax-paying citizens that they work for.

So I'll praise the "new and improved" enforcement bill when I actually see some enforcement.

Posted by Paul at March 5, 2009 04:00 PM