Minister urging speedy passage of Bill C-15

The Minister of Environment and Conservation, Tom Osborne, today described the recent incident of illegal bilge oil dumping, resulting in hundreds of oiled birds found on or near the shores of the Avalon Peninsula, as deplorable.

Minister Osborne has written the Senate of Canada requesting speedy passage of Bill C-15 - An Act to Amend the Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. Bill C-15 outlines significant legislative changes that will strengthen existing federal legislation that deals with marine pollution and illegal dumping of bilge oil in our ocean.

"In December 2004, I appeared before the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development in Ottawa to support Bill C-15, which will allow for better protection of our marine environment through expanded jurisdiction, greater surveillance and enforcement capability, as well as stiffer fines for offenders," said Minister Osborne. "The recent bilge oil incident in our waters clearly demonstrates the urgency in having this legislation proclaimed into law. The Senate must make this legislation a priority. Ships which illegally dump their bilge oil at sea must be sent a strong message that there will be zero tolerance for such action. The strengthened legislation will indeed act as a stronger deterrent to potential violators.

"This latest environmental tragedy involves oiled birds discovered within the Witless Bay Ecological Reserve � a reserve established to preserve internationally important seabird breeding and overwintering colonies and their habitat. We can not allow our valuable reserves and other precious wildlife to fall victim to reckless ocean polluters."

The minister said the province will continue to assist the federal government, in whatever way possible, in addressing this important issue. "This government will work diligently to do its part to ensure the proper protection of our valuable marine environment for present and future generations. The Senate must, however, move as quickly as possible to proclaim Bill C-15 into law which will be key to helping us end this heedless abuse of our environment."

Media contact: Sonia Glover, Communications, (709) 729-2575, 685-6612