Do it for sea lion kisses
March 12, 2026
Tracey Saxby
In case you missed it, FortisBC has been dumping effluent loaded with heavy metals into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound.
Check out the video! INSTAGRAM | FACEBOOK | YOUTUBE
Why is FortisBC getting a free pass to pollute?
Earlier this week, a waste disposal company in Richmond was fined for polluting the Fraser River. Lab tests found that levels of aluminum were 24 times higher than BC's water quality guidelines, along with several other toxic chemicals.
Meanwhile, FortisBC has repeatedly exceeded water quality guidelines for copper and aluminum for over a year during construction of its 9-km tunnel to Woodfibre.
Instead of fixing the problem, FortisBC is asking for permission to pollute even more. FortisBC has applied to amend their permit so they can discharge dissolved aluminum at levels 62 times higher than British Columbia's water quality guidelines and dissolved copper at levels 18 times higher.
High levels of aluminum and copper are toxic to aquatic wildlife.
Why hasn't FortisBC been fined for its pollution? Why has the BC Energy Regulator failed to act?
It’s not too late to send a letter!
In the last week, we’ve sent over 1,150 letters to Ministers and regulators calling on them to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold FortisBC accountable for this excessive water pollution.
The District of Squamish also passed a resolution to oppose the permit amendment.
Take action! Demand FortisBC stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.
SEND A LETTER NOW!We've hired experts!
Thanks to the incredible support of people that love Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound, we've raised $9,398 in the last week.
We’ve hired three experts in tunneling, acid rock drainage, toxicology, and water treatment to review FortisBC's amendment application, and we're working with our legal team to file complaints.
We still need to raise $15,707 to meet our goal, so we can hit FortisBC with everything we’ve got.
Donate below to get a charitable tax receipt from Sunshine Coast Conservation Association.
CHIP IN NOWFor all of the wildlife that makes Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound so special.
Tracey Saxby
Executive Director
My Sea to Sky
P.S. Our handy letter writing tool will send a letter to key Ministers, BC Energy Regulator, FortisBC, your MP, and your MLA. But you can also submit a comment on your own to Waste.Management@bc-er.ca and egp@fortisbc.com. FortisBC's application to amend the permit can be accessed here. Weekly water quality testing results can be found here.
My Sea to Sky is incredibly proud and grateful to say that we rely on the My Sea to Sky community for small donations that provide the majority of our funding. Since our launch in 2014, we have been funded through personal savings, family and friends; and powered by the passion of our volunteers. Your generous contribution will help us to run our critical campaigns to defend, protect, and restore Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound. Can you chip in?