British Columbia's preparedness for hazardous spills is inadequate, with outdated response plans and insufficient compliance oversight, an audit finds. 's spill response plans are not current, there's a lack of procedures for identifying non-compliance, and First Nations are not consistently informed of spills. The Ministry of Environment has accepted nine recommendations from the audit, aiming to improve the province's management of hazardous spills. auditor generalWhy this matters:This audit reveals significant gaps in British Columbia's preparedness and response to such incidents, underlining the need for urgent reforms to safeguard communities and ecosystems from potential disasters. Effective management of hazardous spills is crucial for protecting public health and the environment.

Source: Washington Post February 29, 2024 12:32 UTC