Suncor Energy Incorporated has been fined $475,000 for allowing a discharge from its Sarnia refinery that impacted Aamjiwnaang First Nation in March of 2018.
The company was convicted in Sarnia court December 16, 2020 of one violation under the Environmental Protection Act.
Suncor also has to pay a victim fine surcharge of $118,750 within 90 days, and in addition, was issued a probation order to send $200,000 to Aamjiwnaang within 24 hours to be used for environmental purposes.
On March 15, 2018, there was a partial emergency shutdown on-site at the refinery on St. Clair Parkway which eventually resulted in total reduced sulphur compounds being discharged into the air. The compounds are composed of hydrogen sulphide and other sulphur-containing compounds which have a strong nauseous rotten egg odour that can be detected by humans at very low concentrations.
The environment ministry instructed Suncor to take air samples and modelling confirmed the presence of total reduced sulphur compounds at levels slightly above the ministry's standard. The neighbouring First Nation residential community was affected by the event, resulting in about a dozen complaints. Callers complained about a strong rotten egg odour and the need to stay indoors. They reported symptoms such as burning eyes and headache.
The ministry's Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated the incident that occurred during the period from March 15 to 16, 2018 and laid charges which resulted in the conviction.