Bill C-15: A Major Victory for Both Canadians and Seabirds
The International Fund for Animal Welfare and Canada’s largest conservation organizations applaud the passage of Bill C-15, an amendment to the Migratory Birds Convention Act that imposes stricter penalties and larger minimal fines for shipping companies and ship officers found illegally dumping bilge oil into Canadian waters.
"The broad spectrum of support on this bill is something seldom seen in Canadian politics," said Kim Elmslie. "IFAW would like to applaud Environment Minister Stephane Dion and conservative Environment Critic Bob Mills for their unwavering support of C-15."
Bill C-15 in its current form will allow the Canadian government to
effectively enforce the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canadian
Environment Protection Act in Canada’s coastal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). It
will not impose any new costs or regulatory changes for vessels and ship
operators who follow the law. It will, however, hold shippers accountable who
illegally dump bilge oil in Canadian waters, imposing a minimum fine of $100,000
for a summary conviction and $500,000 for an indictable offence. The new
bill creates a stronger deterrent for ocean polluters that will ultimately
save thousands of seabirds, fish and other marine life from destruction.
Until now, Canada’s enforcement record against polluters has not been good
Deliberate oil spills kill 300,000 birds off the east coast of Canada every year... and the polluters had been getting away with it.
Canada was becoming a major dumping ground for oily bilge. Surveillance planes in Atlantic Canada are unable to find polluters in the fog or in the dark. In the winter months, a ship can dump oil and be several hours and hundreds of kilometres away before its slick is even detected.
If slicks are detected and investigations are initiated, only a small percentage lead to prosecutions, only 3-5 offshore deliberate dumping cases were actually prosecuted in Atlantic Canada between 2000-2002. And even when prosecuted, only small fines are handed out that do not present a deterrent for polluters. The highest fine to date in Canada is $125,000.
As the world's leading expert in oiled wildlife rehabilitation, IFAW has been working to stop chronic oil pollution once and for all.
“We feel strongly that saving the life a single seabird is important.
Ultimately, however, oil spill prevention is the best way to keep these birds
from dying. With the passage of this bill, the waters off Newfoundland and
all along the North Eastern Canadian coastal communities will be cleaner and
safer for wildlife and people who depend on the sea for their livelihoods,” said
Phyllis Campbell McCrae, IFAW Canada Director.
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