Nature Canada

How Much is a Duck Worth?

According to a provincial court in Alberta, about $1,868.

Syncrude Canada has been sentenced to pay an award of approximately $3 million CAD for the death of over 1,600 ducks that dove into its 12 square kilometre tailings pond north of Fort McMurray in Alberta. Syncrude had been found guilty in June 2010 of violating both the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act and Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.

How does it add up to $3 million?

– $300,000; the maximum fine under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, which will be paid to the federal Environmental Damages Fund (EDF)

– $500,000; the maximum fine under the Alberta Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act. Half of this money will be used for the establishment of a program to monitor and protect birds, and to be integrated with aboriginal training at Keyano College in Fort McMurray, Alberta

– $1.3 million; to be given to the University of Alberta’s Avian Protection Research Study

– $900,000; for the purchase of lands in the Golden Ranches Conservation Area near Edmonton

$3 million does not come close to the true value of the wildlife that was lost. Help us make sure tragedies like this one don’t happen again.

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