Ecojustice launched the private prosecution, on behalf of Custer, in provincial court this morning against Syncrude under the Federal Migratory Birds Convention Act, which prohibits the deposit of a harmful substance in an area frequented by migratory birds. The prosecution is also supported by Sierra Club Canada and Forest Ethics.More on the Tailings Ponds of northern Alberta
(h/t @taudette, Ken Chapman)
“We don’t want to act quickly on this just because everyone wants a decision,” said Ogho Ikhalo, a ministry spokeswoman. “We want to make sure we have all the pieces in place.”
ReplyDeleteTranslation: We're hoping the public forgets this and we can just drop the matter so as to not upset Syncrude
Let's hope the legal action keeps it in the forefront of the public eye.
ReplyDeleteSyncrude has already paid through the nose for this one, both in real dollars (fines and futile "rescue efforts") and in public perception. Syncrude has arguably suffered more for this blunder than Maple Leaf suffered after killing actual people.
ReplyDeleteSkyscrapers in Edmonton, Calgary and other large urban centers also kill birds routinely and no one bats an eye.
Speaking of bats, wind farms kill several hundred bats a year. Unfortunately bats rank lower on the "cute" scale. http://www.canada.com/ottawacitizen/news/story.html?id=af37ff70-f5e7-44dc-afc2-d80a71460403.