Regulatory failure is putting Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound at risk
March 3, 2026
Eoin Finn
Broken promises from FortisBC
Two years ago, we warned regulators that FortisBC's water treatment system was inadequate and that it would fail to meet requirements.
In response, FortisBC promised that: “Discharge to the environment will be halted if the water treatment is not meeting the requirements of BC Water Quality Guidelines.”
FortisBC has broken this promise.
For over a year, FortisBC has been discharging DOUBLE its permitted wastewater into Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound and exceeding Provincial and Federal water quality guidelines—with zero consequences from the BC Energy Regulator.
Regulatory failure by the BC Energy Regulator
FortisBC's effluent discharge permit is clear:
"The effluent discharged from the wastewater treatment system at the point of compliance, shall not exceed the applicable British Columbia Approved and Working Water Quality Guidelines for Freshwater & Marine Aquatic Life..." and “Contravention … may result in prosecution.”
The BC Energy Regulator has failed to act.
As far as we are aware, NO stop work orders have been issued to FortisBC. There have been NO directives to upgrade the water treatment plant. NO fines have been issued. NO public notifications.
Instead, the regulator issued a letter in May 2025 suggesting that FortisBC apply to amend their permit to pollute even more!
The BC Energy Regulator has been described as a captured regulator, where "industry demands trump public interest."
With a revolving door between its staff and the oil and gas industry, the BC Energy Regulator has a long history of failing to hold oil and gas projects accountable for infractions that are directly impacting sensitive ecosystems.
This is not a regulator, this is a conspirator!
Take action by March 7, 2026
Tell Ministers and regulators to reject FortisBC's permit amendment and hold them accountable for this uncontrolled water pollution that is exceeding the original permit conditions.
FortisBC needs to stop work on the tunnel until they upgrade the water treatment system to meet water quality guidelines.
SEND A LETTER NOW!Thank you for standing with me to defend Átl’ḵa7tsem / Howe Sound's precious ecosystems.
Eoin Finn
Board Chair
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 by March 7, 2026. 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?