Each year, over 300,000 seabirds die because oil is deliberately dumped into the ocean off the east coast of Canada … and the polluters are getting away with it.
Until now.
Together, we can make sure Canada is no longer the world’s dumping ground for oily waste.
On Parliament Hill, the environment committee has just accepted a recent proposal by IFAW to establish minimum fines of $500,000 for those who deliberately dump oil into the ocean.
The minimum fine is part of Bill C-15, which seeks tougher punishment for these polluting ships. And now we need your help to make sure the bill passes the House of Commons.
A drop of oil the size of a quarter is enough to kill a seabird.
The same number of birds who died in the Exxon Valdez oil spill die off the coast of Newfoundland each year because of just a few irresponsible ships.
In order to save time and money, some vessels dump their used bilge oil directly into the ocean. Winter fog makes it extremely difficult for the few surveillance flights that monitor the waters of Newfoundland to find deliberate dumpers. A vessel can dump its oil and be several hours and hundreds of kilometres away before the slick is even detected.
Even when the polluters are caught, they often receive only a slap on the wrist. Just 12 offshore oil dumping cases were prosecuted in Atlantic Canada between 2000-2002. In the few cases that were prosecuted, only small fines were dealt, with an average fine of just $30,000CAD.
Let’s hit polluters where it counts – their pocketbook.
More seabirds, not to mention the entire ocean ecosystem itself, will suffer until true economic deterrents for oil dumping are put in place and enforced. By keeping fines low in Canada we have built an economic environment where it pays to pollute.
That IFAW’s amendment is now a part of Bill C-15 is a large victory, but it’s only the first step. The bill not only significantly increases the fines for ocean polluters; it also expands enforcement powers and jurisdiction to capture irresponsible ships, permits additional penalties such as environmental audits and community service, and much more.
We need all of our Canadian supporters to take a stand and tell Parliament we will no longer tolerate this illegal and deliberate behaviour. Please take a minute to send a letter to your MP urging them to swiftly pass Bill C-15 with amendments.
This is historic legislation for Canada’s environmental movement and I want you to be a part of it. So please send your MP letter today.
Thanks for all you do,
Fred O’Regan
President and CEO
Link to letter and MP's email addresses:
http://www.ifaw.org/ifaw/general/default.aspx?oid=123330