Pollution of Union Bay Continues – Has the Province Become a Polluter?

For Immediate Release from Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound. https://concernedcitizensofbaynessoundorg.wordpress.com/2024/12/04/press-release/

December 4, 2024

Pollution of Union Bay Continues – Has the Province Become a Polluter?

On November 14, 2024, the legal team representing the Concerned Citizens of Baynes Sound (CCOBS) took a significant step in addressing the ongoing pollution caused by unregulated shipbreaking activities at the Union Bay site. A formal letter was submitted to both provincial and federal governments, urging them to take immediate and corrective action regarding the persistent environmental damage occurring in the area.

This action follows a comprehensive legal analysis, conducted by the legal team for CCOBS with support from West Coast Environmental Law and the Environmental Dispute Resolution Fund. The analysis highlights the province’s legal responsibility as both the landowner and landlord of the foreshore at Union Bay, where pollution from shipbreaking activities continues to affect the surrounding environment. The ongoing pollution, including harmful substances such as lead, copper, zinc, and cadmium, has been left unchecked by both provincial and federal regulators, despite numerous warnings and advisories.

CCOBS, alongside legal experts, has raised concerns that the province may be in violation of several sections of the Fisheries Act due to its failure to stop the pollution. This includes violations related to the disruption of fish habitat, the deposit of harmful substances into waters frequented by fish, and the province’s failure to take corrective measures or notify the appropriate authorities.

Additionally, the analysis challenges several myths that have been used to justify inaction, including misconceptions about the jurisdiction of regulatory authorities and the applicability of existing environmental laws.

CCOBS is calling for immediate enforcement action to shut down the shipbreaking operations at Union Bay, which have been conducted without the proper environmental assessments or authorizations. The group is also demanding cleanup efforts to address the ongoing environmental damage and ensure long-term protection of the ecosystem.

“The government must step in and take the necessary steps to shut down this operation, enforce the laws in place, and protect the community and the environment from further harm,” said Ray Rewcastle, Vice President of CCOBS.

For more information, please refer to the full press release attached.