Officials under scrutiny after fragile river system suffers damage with little accountability: 'It's quite a small penalty'

The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation recently reported on a "weak reprimand" handed down to a company that contaminated a river with byproducts from its operations.

What's happening?

A coal company responsible for releasing more than a million liters of mine-contaminated wastewater into an Alberta river was fined just 9,000 Canadian dollars (about 6,500 U.S. dollars), which critics say is hardly holding it accountable.

In March 2023, CST Canada Coal allowed wastewater from its mine to spill into the Smoky River, a major tributary of the Peace River. The leak lasted at least 17 hours and released roughly 9,000 kilograms of polluting sediment into the water — a known threat to fish species such as the local bull trout and Arctic grayling, not to mention the risk to communities downstream.

The Alberta Energy Regulator cited the company, but the fine is being called "a slap on the wrist" by environmental groups and former government officials. "It's quite a small penalty for something that was deemed to have moderate potential for adverse effects downstream," said Tara Russell, program director with the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society's northern Alberta chapter, per the CBC.

Why is this leak concerning?

Coal mine wastewater often contains toxic materials such as selenium as well as fine particles that damage fish gills and disrupt ecosystems. In this case, regulators found that CST had inadequate reporting protocols, no qualified staff on-site, and no ice removal equipment to repair the frozen valve that led to the spill.

This wasn't the first time CST leaked contaminants into the Smoky River, the CBC revealed. In 2022, the company spilled more than 100,000 liters of untreated wastewater in a similar incident and was fined CA$22,000. Aside from damaging ecosystems, the pollution is harmful to local communities that rely on the ecosystem for water, food, irrigation, and more.

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Letting polluters off the hook easily can mean they may not feel real pressure to do better. "I can't see that this is going to be an effective enforcement tool," said NDP MLA Marlin Schmidt, per the CBC. "It's not an effective deterrent for the companies and it's an extremely expensive process for the Alberta Energy Regulator."

What's being done to hold companies accountable for pollution?

Critics say Alberta needs tougher enforcement and escalating penalties for repeat offenders to truly protect waterways, wildlife, and public trust. "Other operators are looking [at] this fine and saying the AER is not credible when it says that they're going to bring the hammer down on bad actors," said Schmidt.

Individuals can help hold polluters accountable by supporting organizations that advocate for stronger environmental regulations, including CPAWS and Ecojustice. You can also take local action by pushing for clean energy policies and voting for candidates who prioritize public health over polluter profits.

How often do you worry about the quality of your drinking water?

Never 👎