Company Penalized $90,000 for Canola Oil Spill

As a company was loading a vessel at the Port Metro Vancouver, about 1,800 litres of canola oil spilled into the Burrard Inlet. Canola oil is deleterious to fish and harmful to migratory birds. Environment Canada’s investigation determined that the spill was the result of documented procedures not being followed, an improperly secured flange in the loading system and a cracked containment vault at the site of the improperly secured flange. The company pleaded guilty to violating the Fisheries Act. The court fined it $5,000 and ordered it to pay $85,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund [West Coast Reduction Ltd., Govt. News Release, July 24, 2015].