A January oil spill, and what Snuneymuxw First Nation says is over 40 years of pollution from a Duke Point saw mill, is prompting the First Nation to demand environmental investigations into the area. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW

toxic spills

‘Another example of systemic failure:’ SFN calling for full investigation into Duke Point pollution

Feb 19, 2026 | 2:09 PM

NANAIMO — Conduct by Duke Point-area industrial businesses are under scrutiny from Snuneymuxw First Nation.

Chief Michael Wyse said two letters were sent to federal, provincial and municipal leaders recently where he said the First Nation was calling for “a full environmental investigation” into a pair of contaminations of the water, including a January oil spill caused by Environmental 360 Solutions, and “long-standing discharge” from Western Forest Products.

The incidents were described by Wyse as “yet another example of systemic failure by government and industrial operators to prevent, identify and address long-standing environmental harm in our territory.”

A recent oil spill in the region was first reported on Jan. 5, prompting containment in an area between Duke Point and Mudge Island.

Subsequent investigation after the clean up traced the spill to industrial infrastructure connected to a municipal stormwater system which then flowed into the ocean at the east side of Duke Point through an outfall pipe.

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Environmental 360 Solutions hired a spill response contractor to complete the work.

Wyse alleges the company did not contact the First Nation regarding the spill.

“You can’t operate in Nanaimo, benefit from the community and the land and then fail to notify neighbours after toxic spills of this magnitude. That raises serious questions about due diligence, compliance, respect and basic decency.”

The Nation’s dedicated harvesting areas were indefinitely closed by Fisheries and Oceans Canada, as a result of the spill, with an estimated economic cost to Snuneymuxw of over $30,000 per week.

Concerns regarding activities by Western Forest Products date back more than 40 years, according to Wyse.

He said “significant toxic effluent discharges” stem from the sawmill at Duke Point, with stormwater affecting the surrounding ecosystem.

Snuneymuxw states it “has been misinformed by the company about the scale and severity of the issue and has recently become informed there was a high likelihood of severe ecological damage.”

Wyse said they’re “alarmed” to learn of the potential damage.

“For more than 40 years, toxic effluent has entered waters where we harvest, fish, swim and exercise protected rights. These waters are not an industrial dumping ground; they are the lifeblood of this coast. Our economy is built around them. Irresponsible waste is not the cost of doing business. It is a failure of leadership.”

Wyse added both incidents impact the wider community, with families swimming nearby and fishers using waters for recreational and commercial purposes.

In addition, local marine ecosystems with tourism impacts, are also negatively impacted, Wyse said.

Western Forest Products, via a statement to NanaimoNewsNOW, said Snuneymuxw’s concerns are related to water runoff which has “come in contact with wood and wood particles”.

“We have implemented multiple measures to manage this water discharge, which have been reviewed and accepted by Environment and Climate Change Canada. We have been actively working through regulatory approvals for four years to install stormwater infrastructure upgrades that would further improve the environmental performance at the site and address the concerns Snuneymuxw are raising.”

Similar upgrades were already implemented at other WFP-operated sites, but the company said “permitting has been delayed at Duke Point.”

Installation of the enhancements will happen as soon as permits are granted, according to the company, who also note the situation “could be expedited with support from Snuneymuxw.”

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