Canadian Kraft Paper Fined $1 Million for Toxic Release

The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund and will be used for implementing projects aimed at improving the environment.

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): Canadian Kraft Paper Industries was ordered to pay a fine of $1 million for alleged release of toxins into the Saskatchewan River in violation of the federal Fisheries Act. The company pleaded guilty at the Provincial Court of Manitoba to one charge on December 15, 2023, leading to one of the largest environmental fines in the history of Manitoba.

The incident occurred at Canadian Kraft Paper Industries Limited's pulp and paper mill in The Pas, Manitoba in February 2019. The pipe leak released approximately 23,000 litres of black liquor, a by-product of the manufacturing process, the samples of which were collected by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers.

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Further investigations proved that nearly 181 million litres of lethal toxin were released to the river over the course of six days. Incidentally, The Saskatchewan River is home to many species of fish, including certain endangered species.

The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund and will be used for implementing projects aimed at improving the environment.

In addition to paying the fine, Canadian Kraft Paper must conduct an independent environmental audit within a year so as to make recommendations on implementation of best available technology and practices to prevent future releases. The report identifying the recommendations and actions must be delivered to Environment and Climate Change Canada.