Algoma Steel Inc. fined $1.2 million for federal environmental and wildlife offences related to a gear oil deposit into the St. Marys River, Ontario
News release
September 11, 2026 – Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
A healthy environment supports wildlife, biodiversity, and the natural places Canadians value while contributing to sustainable economic development. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers support these outcomes by enforcing federal environmental and wildlife laws that prevent harm and help protect natural resources in Canada now and into the future.
On September 10, 2026, at the Ontario Court of Justice in Sault Ste. Marie, Algoma Steel Inc. was fined $1.2 million after pleading guilty to one count under subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act and one count under subsection 5.1(1) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. The two offences relate to the deposit of a deleterious and/or harmful substance in water frequented by fish and in water or an area used by migratory birds. 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.
This sentence follows an investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers into a gear oil tank overflow incident at the company’s Sault Ste. Marie facility between June 8 and 9, 2022. The incident resulted in the deposit of an estimated 1,000 to 1,250 litres of gear oil into the St. Marys River. Gear oil is considered a deleterious substance as defined by the Fisheries Act and is a substance harmful to migratory birds under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
The Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 contain important protections for aquatic ecosystems, wildlife, and their habitats in Canada. Under these Acts, individuals and all companies in Canada must ensure their activities are managed in a manner that prevents unauthorized deposits of deleterious or harmful substances to the environment. They must also identify and manage environmental risks and respond accordingly when incidents occur.
As a result of this 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.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect the natural environment.
Quick facts
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Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for administering and enforcing the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act.
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Subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act prohibits depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish, or in any place where it may enter water frequented by fish.
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A deleterious substance in the context of the Fisheries Act can be any substance that if added to water would degrade or alter the water quality to the point that it becomes, or is likely to become, harmful to fish.
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The St. Marys River is home to various species of fish, including lake sturgeon, walleye, and northern pike. It also supports a variety of migratory birds.
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Subsection 5.1(1) of the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 prohibits depositing any substance harmful to migratory birds in waters, in areas frequented by migratory birds, or in any place where it could enter such waters or areas.
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Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund directs monies received from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary payments to projects that will repair environmental damage or benefit the environment. The Fund aims to invest in areas where the environmental damage caused by the violation has occurred.
Associated links
- Fisheries Act Pollution Prevention Provisions
- Frequently Asked Questions: Fisheries Act Pollution Prevention Provisions
- Environmental Enforcement Inspections
- Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994
- Wildlife Enforcement Inspections
- Environmental Damages Fund
- Environmental Offenders Registry
- Report Pollution Incidents or Wildlife Crimes
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media@ec.gc.ca
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