Sault Ste. Marie-based Algoma Steel pleaded guilty this week to two federal charges related to the release of gear oil into the St. Marys River on June 9, 2022. The company was fined $1.2 million after pleading guilty to one count under the Fisheries Act and one count under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. “The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund to support projects that have a positive impact on the environment,” according to a news release. In a statement, Algoma Steel said between 1,000 and 1,250 litres of gear oil overflowed inside “our hot mill and passed through our water treatment system into the river.” Some initial estimates said the spill was much larger, but Algoma said the actual amount was a maximum of 1,250 litres. “The safeguards and procedures we had in place at the time were not adequate to prevent the release,” the statement said. “The incident resulted in a precautionary water advisory for downstream communities and the temporary shutdown of the Echo Bay municipal water intake.” Algoma expresses ‘regret’ for oil spill As a result of the conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. The registry contains information on convictions of corporations registered for offences committed under certain federal environmental laws. “We recognize the concern and disruption this caused,” Algoma Steel said. “The St. Marys River is the river our community lives alongside and relies upon, and we regret the impact of this incident.” Algoma reported the incident in 2022, responded with containment and cleanup measures, supported downstream communities, and cooperated fully with the federal and provincial investigations. In a statement at the time, Ontario’s Ministry of the Environment said the substance that spilled into the water was ‘Morgoil,’ a heavy oil used for lubrication of heavy machinery. Since the spill, Algoma said it has changed procedures and made investments to reduce the risk of a similar event. “These include improved oil-transfer procedures and training, tank monitoring and alarms, automated controls, additional oil containment and recovery equipment, and enhanced monitoring at our water treatment facilities,” the statement said. Provincial charges related to the oil spill and a separate 2022 slump slurry incident will be discharged as part of Algoma’s guilty pleas to the federal charges. “We accept responsibility for the shortcomings that contributed to the 2022 release and remain committed to protecting the St. Marys River and the communities that depend upon it,” the statement said.
