logo
CNRL was fined $278K after hundreds of birds died in a tailings pond. Now it has launched an appeal

CNRL was fined $278K after hundreds of birds died in a tailings pond. Now it has launched an appeal

CBC10-02-2025

A major operator in Alberta's oilsands is appealing a $278,000 regulatory fine it was issued after hundreds of birds died in one of its toxic tailings ponds.
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. was sanctioned last year by the Alberta Energy Regulator for not stopping the birds from nesting on an island that emerged from a pond at the Horizon oilsands mine, about 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
Throughout the spring and summer of 2022, more than 400 California gulls died from exposure to the contaminated water.
CNRL was convicted of a single count under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act for failing to safely contain the hazardous substances that are found in their tailings ponds.
Six months since the fine was levied, the AER has now granted the Calgary-based company leave to appeal the sanction.
Critics say CNRL should take accountability for the environmental infractions.
'The wrong message'
"It sends the wrong message," said David Spink, an environmental consultant and former industry regulator with the Alberta government.
"There's no question that the birds died and there's no question that it was your facility that was responsible."
In a statement to CBC News, AER said the sanction is eligible for an appeal under the regulations laid out in the Responsible Energy Development Act but a hearing date has not yet been set. CNRL declined to comment, citing the pending review.
Spink, who once served as a director of air and water approvals for Alberta, said the fine is small price to pay for an oil and gas giant such as CNRL. The Calgary-based operator reported a net income of $8.2 billion in 2023.
The appeal demonstrates that CNRL is unwilling to answer for its infractions, he said.
"They may not be eager to accept this blemish on their environmental record," he said.
The contravention is among a string of mass bird deaths in the oilsands.
The high-profile landings prompted years of research and monitoring aimed at preventing flocks from dying in Alberta's expanse of tailings ponds.
The Athabasca oilsands are at the centre of a major migratory pathway for birds and protecting the species that fly over the region is a condition of licence for all oilsands producers.
A 'standard of perfection'
CNRL has previously denied its negligence in the 2022 bird deaths. At the time, the company argued that it should not be held to a "standard of perfection" in its efforts to protect the birds.
The regulator in turn, ruled that CNRL did not take reasonable steps to prevent the deaths by failing to destroy the island before it became a nesting site.
Colleen Cassady St. Clair, a University of Alberta biologist and expert in bird deaths in the oilsands, said CNRL should have known that islands in tailings ponds were attractive to birds and posed a risk to passing flocks.
St. Clair was the lead researcher of the Research on Avian Protection Project, a three-year study that examined how to better protect birds in Alberta's oilsands after 1,600 died at a Syncrude tailings pond in 2008.
She said the industrial hazards to birds have been well understood for decades.
"They had lots of warning," she said. "They don't have to be perfect, but they should be trying to absolutely minimize those mortalities.
"It's hard to see an argument that they couldn't have anticipated this problem."
The case dates back to the spring of 2022 when workers at the mine discovered birds on the island in an area known as Tar River Valley on the north side of the Horizon mine.
The island had taken shape the previous spring, at the centre of a tailings pond, due to receding waters and re-emerged the following year.
According to the CNRL's formal bird protection protocols, such islands should be destroyed to prevent birds from touching down. But the company failed to act in this case. They considered the island low risk as birds had initially shown no interest.
The small stretch of land soon became a nesting and hatching site for colonies of birds.
By May 21, 2022, CNRL workers counted a single Canada goose nest and 271 California gull nests along its beaches.
The company informed the regulator on June 7, more than two weeks later. By then, CNRL reported that it had installed bird deterrents on the island, including pyrotechnics and rockets.
But the hazing efforts were unsuccessful. Each day, the gulls would disperse and land again.
On July 12, CNRL reported that between 60 and 70 California gull chicks had been discovered on the island, covered in oil.
As the weeks went on, workers kept finding carcasses and gull chicks fouled with bitumen. Predators including wolves and coyotes passed through the shallow water to hunt on the island, feeding on the contaminated flocks and flushing more birds into the toxic waters.
The situation continued until Aug. 4, when the surviving chicks were old enough to fly away.
According to the regulator, 411 birds died before the island was finally destroyed that September.
Even a light oiling can threaten their survival, interfering with their ability to eat, fly and protect themselves from the elements.
Soiled birds can become trapped in the thick liquid, often drowning from the weight on their feathers.
The toxic slurry found in tailings can not only make the birds sick, it can also prove toxic to other wildlife which consume them.
'Evasion of responsibility'
The company argued that, due to the Migratory Bird Convention Act, there was little they could do once the nests were established.
St. Clair described that argument as "slippery" and said the findings of the AER investigation were clear.
"Many months of inaction is not consistent with an attitude of due diligence," she said.
It's hard to fathom why CNRL has launched an appeal and it will erode public confidence in the operator, she said.
"I think the public has some tolerance for mistakes, whether it's this industry or any other industry, and less tolerance for evasion of responsibility."

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Enmax electrical workers vote to authorize strike as bargaining continues
Enmax electrical workers vote to authorize strike as bargaining continues

CBC

timean hour ago

  • CBC

Enmax electrical workers vote to authorize strike as bargaining continues

Electrical workers with Enmax have passed a strike authorization vote, granting the union's membership the right to issue strike notice to the City of Calgary-owned utility. The vote is the latest development in ongoing negotiations between Enmax and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 254 following the expiration of the previous collective agreement, which covered 389 employees, on Dec. 31, 2024. Brad Dougherty, the union's business manager, told CBC News that the membership is "motivated to get a deal done at the table" and that negotiations with Enmax will take place this week. The strike authorization vote saw a 99.5 per cent member turnout, with 98.9 per cent voting in favour of authorizing job action. The vote, which was certified by the Alberta Labour Relations Board on June 2, gives IBEW Local 254 the right to serve 72-hour strike notice to Enmax within 120 days. Enmax power line technicians, power system electricians, boom truck operators and warehouse workers are among IBEW Local 254's members. Dougherty declined to provide specific details about the union's concerns with the now-expired contract, with a release sent by the union stating "key issues around wages and benefits remain unsolved." In a statement sent to CBC News, Enmax said that over the last several months it has been working with IBEW Local 254 toward renewing the collective agreement. The utility said it was "disappointed by the vote outcome" and confirmed that notice had been received regarding the union's vote in favour of supporting a strike. "We value our union team members and remain hopeful we can reach a fair and balanced agreement without disruption to our operations," Enmax said. The collective bargaining process has been ongoing since last year, with formal mediation between the union and Enmax leaving the two at an impasse. "Really, we're just looking to achieve something that's fair for our membership, and recognizing the value that they bring both to the organization and to the city as a whole," Dougherty said.

She Created SweetBio, a Memphis Biotech Company That's Changing the Game
She Created SweetBio, a Memphis Biotech Company That's Changing the Game

Style Blueprint

time12 hours ago

  • Style Blueprint

She Created SweetBio, a Memphis Biotech Company That's Changing the Game

Share with your friends! Pinterest LinkedIn Email Flipboard Reddit After a successful launch in 2024, Memphis-based biotech company SweetBio is reshaping the future of healing with a focus on ethics, accessibility, and inclusivity. We talked to the entrepreneur behind SweetBio about her journey, sources of inspiration, and what she loves most about the 901. Get to know this dynamic FACE of Memphis! Pin Tell us about the path that led to creating SweetBio. It's a fascinating one! I was inspired by my grandmother, a bridal business entrepreneur who brought joy to many. From a young age, I knew I wanted to bring care and joy to others, too. During college, I interned at Target … When I was offered a full-time role on the merchandising team, I realized I was really studying what it takes to achieve both high performance and a healthy culture at scale. I started in big data and intentionally built the tools I knew I'd need as an entrepreneur: analytics, strategy, and systems. I left to pursue my MBA full-time, then joined Target's Innovation Office in San Francisco. I moved there with the vision of starting a company, initially thinking it would be in the digital space. At the same time, I was talking with my brother Isaac, who had been developing a unique biomedical technology for years. When he showed me what he had built — a collagen and Manuka honey solution to wound care — we realized it had the potential to truly help people. We had a choice between joining an accelerator in San Francisco or moving to Memphis, one of the top cities for medical device innovation. Since neither of us came from a medical background, we knew we needed to learn as fast as possible and surround ourselves with the right experts. Memphis offered that, along with the space to build both a company and a life. Pin What's the SweetBio elevator pitch? SweetBio is a biotech company revolutionizing wound care with innovative, affordable products powered by certified Mānuka honey and collagen. With FDA clearance, Medicare and commercial insurance coverage, and $10M in funding, SweetBio recently launched VERIS™, an advanced wound-care solution for patients recovering from Mohs surgery, biopsies, and chronic ulcers. SweetBio also offers APIS®, which is a prescription product proven to support healing in chronic and acute wounds, including diabetic ulcers. Pin What inspired you to launch a biotech company with ethics at its core? Our great-grandfather in Puerto Rico had to undergo an amputation simply because he couldn't afford the wound care he needed, and he passed away from the diabetic wound. Sadly, that kind of inequity is still far too common. We launched SweetBio to change that. To make advanced healing accessible, affordable, and centered on human dignity. Ethics aren't an add-on for us; they're the foundation. Biotech has long been a male-dominated field. What has been your experience navigating leadership in this industry? Ten years ago, biotech and entrepreneurship were even more male-dominated than they are now. As a Latina woman without a healthcare background, I wasn't exactly the typical founder profile. I faced skepticism early on, so I made it my mission to get as smart as I could, as fast as I could. I asked questions, read constantly, and surrounded myself with trusted advisors across science, regulation, and reimbursement. Now, we're respected for our track record and results, but that came from relentless preparation and resilience. Pin Are there any values or perspectives from your upbringing that have influenced how you lead your business? Absolutely. One of our core values is positive intent, which comes directly from family. You can disagree, but if you're aligned on a shared vision, you can move forward together. We also embrace our humanity, where making mistakes is fully and 100% accepted. We prioritize mental health. We put family first. We operate from our values, which are the strength behind how we build. Switching gears a little, what do you love most about Memphis? I love that Memphis offers the best of both worlds. You can be in the city or outdoors in places like Shelby Farms, where I serve on the board. It's a space where people from every walk of life come together, and that sense of inclusion and community is something I value deeply. For my family, it's the diversity in Memphis. Our kids grow up dancing, playing sports, and connecting with all kinds of people. And professionally, Memphis gave us the space to build the type of company we believe in. Grit and grind run deep here, and it's a place that rewards that entrepreneurial spirit. Pin What's something that people are often surprised to learn about you? I thrive in chaos … and I have a black belt in taekwondo! What is your best piece of advice? One of the biggest lessons I've learned building this company is the power of decision-making. The best decision is the right one, the next best is the wrong one, but the worst thing is indecision. When you're stuck between two paths, just pick one and move forward. Practicing decision-making builds confidence, clarity, and momentum. Whereas indecision stalls life, movement creates growth! Aside from faith, family, and friends, name three things you can't live without. Saturday Night Live, macaroons, and walks outside. ********** For more inspiring FACES of Memphis, click HERE! About the Author Gaye Swan A freelance writer, mom of twins, avid traveler, and local foodie, Gaye loves meeting new people and bringing their stories to life.

Social media users freaking out over Lululemon's planned price increases
Social media users freaking out over Lululemon's planned price increases

Toronto Sun

time14 hours ago

  • Toronto Sun

Social media users freaking out over Lululemon's planned price increases

Lululemon enthusiasts are lashing out over the Canadian apparel company's plans to increase prices in response to tariffs. Photo by Joe Raedle / GETTY IMAGES Lululemon enthusiasts are lashing out over the Canadian apparel company's plans to spike prices in response to tariffs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Late last week, the Vancouver-based, globally recognized company announced it would be increasing some prices. 'We are planning to take strategic price increases, looking item by item across our assortment as we typically do,' chief financial officer Meghan Frank told analysts on a call held as the company's share price tumbled 23% to US$255.32 in afterhours trading last Thursday. The price increases on products will be 'modest in nature' and only applied to a 'small' portion of Lululemon's products. Customers can thank U.S. President Donald Trump's trade war. 'We experienced lower store traffic in the Americas, partially reflective of economic uncertainty, inflationary pressures, lower consumer confidence, and changes in discretionary spending,' the company said in a recent statement. What it means is that brand's loyal cult-following of millennial and Gen-Z yoga types aren't splurging on the company's clothing as they perhaps once did. The clothing company said the hikes will roll out within weeks, but online reaction was instant. 'You better get it together. Lulu. Using tariffs as an excuse in your rest of the year outlook is not a smart move. Amazon/Walmart tried this it didn't go well. You're Down 65$ today. Our family was a big lulu fan not so much anymore,' one user posted to social-media site X. 'For what they charge for their products, you'd think it was made in America,' another post read. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. You better get it together. Lulu. Using tariffs as an excuse in your rest of the year outlook is not a smart move. Amazon/walmart tried this it didn't go well You're Down 65$ today. Our family was a big lulu fan not so much anymore. — #Liberationday (@StephenWil257) June 6, 2025 In 2024, 40% of Lululemon's products were made in Vietnam, and 28% of its fabrics came from mainland China. Both countries have been hit hard by Trump's trade crackdown. But some folks seem to have had enough. 'It can't be that yoga pants shouldn't cost $125 a pair. No. That's not it,' someone said, while another posted, 'Their stuff is ridiculously overpriced… total ripoff.' 'Lululemon's collapse isn't about tariffs — it's about betting on foreign manufacturing while ignoring American resilience,' yet another critic said. Sports Canada Sunshine Girls Columnists Sports

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store