Ontario’s pipeline authority is looking into a hydrocarbon spill that occurred on March 11 from a pipeline in Sarnia, which affected the St. Clair River.
Mar 18, 2026 •
Crews are seen working at the blocked-off River Road entrance to the Suncor refinery in Sarnia on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, following the company’s discovery of a “hydrocarbon sheen” on the St. Clair River. Ontario’s pipeline authority is currently investigating a hydrocarbon spill from a Sun-Canadian pipeline that took place on March 11. Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Ontario’s pipeline authority is looking into a hydrocarbon spill that occurred on March 11 from a pipeline in Sarnia, which affected the St. Clair River.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
A spokesperson for the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA) stated they are collaborating with Sun-Canadian Pipe Line to implement “necessary corrective actions.”
“The section of the pipeline involved has been shut down while we continue our investigation to find out what caused this incident,” they mentioned via email.
The TSSA serves as Ontario’s fuels safety watchdog and is responsible for licensing oil and gas pipelines as well as ensuring their safe operation.
Around 6 p. m. on March 11, Suncor’s refinery in Sarnia reported that it had “identified a hydrocarbon sheen” on the St. Clair River.
Crews are seen working at the blocked-off River Road entrance to the Suncor refinery in Sarnia on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, following the company’s discovery of a “hydrocarbon sheen” on the St. Clair River. Ontario’s pipeline authority is currently investigating a hydrocarbon spill from a Sun-Canadian pipeline that took place on March 11. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Suncor stated that it deployed response equipment like booms and vacuum gear along the river and initiated cleanup efforts. Later reports suggested that “third-party pipeline infrastructure” might have been responsible for the leak.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
According to their website, Sun-Canadian Pipe Line was established in 1953 “to safely transport refined petroleum products for its owners from refineries in the Sarnia area to marketing plants located in London, Hamilton and Toronto.”
The company noted it was informed about “a suspected release of refined products” on March 12 and activated its emergency response procedures immediately.
“Our teams are coordinating closely with local authorities and environmental response experts,” they said. “We’ve started an investigation to pinpoint where this release came from and will continue cooperating with regulatory agencies during their reviews.”
Sun-Canadian emphasized their awareness of “the concern this situation may cause and are dedicated to keeping our community updated as information becomes available. The safety of people and protecting our environment remain our top priorities alongside maintaining our infrastructure.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation officials near the Suncor refinery expressed urgency for answers regarding this spill last Tuesday.
“No cause of the leak has been reported to Aamjiwnaang, and we still don’t know how large of a spill occurred,” stated representatives via social media.
Aamjiwnaang First Nation sign located near River Road close to the Suncor Refinery site in Sarnia. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Aamjiwnaang called upon both industry leaders and government officials to provide timely updates about both this incident and emergency responses taken,” they mentioned.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley echoed these concerns saying he hadn’t received any direct communication from Suncor although he noted that city fire chief was consulting with them.
“Given how unusual spills into rivers have become lately-and how much progress we’ve made addressing root causes-I expected more immediate communication,” Bradley commented. This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
“Even one spill is too many; incidents like this hinder our advocacy efforts concerning Line 5 along with other pipelines,” he added.
Bradley indicated he anticipates discussing last week’s event when meeting later this week with officials from Aamjiwnaang.
Crew members were present early Wednesday at the blocked-off entry point along River Road leading into the site of the Suncor refinery in Sarnia. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden / The Observer
Following this incident, the First Nation also requested assistance from local police regarding managing increased traffic along River Road due to transport trucks carrying fuel typically moved through pipelines.
Aamjiwnaang emphasized its position against allowing transport trucks along River Road during such sensitive situations.
They also called for stricter regulatory oversight over all activities involving pipelines, to ensure health safety standards for their community as well as environmental protection measures are maintained.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
Source link
Crews are seen working at the blocked-off River Road entrance to the Suncor refinery in Sarnia on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, following the company’s discovery of a “hydrocarbon sheen” on the St. Clair River. Ontario’s pipeline authority is currently investigating a hydrocarbon spill from a Sun-Canadian pipeline that took place on March 11. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Suncor stated that it deployed response equipment like booms and vacuum gear along the river and initiated cleanup efforts. Later reports suggested that “third-party pipeline infrastructure” might have been responsible for the leak.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
According to their website, Sun-Canadian Pipe Line was established in 1953 “to safely transport refined petroleum products for its owners from refineries in the Sarnia area to marketing plants located in London, Hamilton and Toronto.”
The company noted it was informed about “a suspected release of refined products” on March 12 and activated its emergency response procedures immediately.
“Our teams are coordinating closely with local authorities and environmental response experts,” they said. “We’ve started an investigation to pinpoint where this release came from and will continue cooperating with regulatory agencies during their reviews.”
Sun-Canadian emphasized their awareness of “the concern this situation may cause and are dedicated to keeping our community updated as information becomes available. The safety of people and protecting our environment remain our top priorities alongside maintaining our infrastructure.”
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.
The Aamjiwnaang First Nation officials near the Suncor refinery expressed urgency for answers regarding this spill last Tuesday.
“No cause of the leak has been reported to Aamjiwnaang, and we still don’t know how large of a spill occurred,” stated representatives via social media.Aamjiwnaang First Nation sign located near River Road close to the Suncor Refinery site in Sarnia. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden /The Observer
Aamjiwnaang called upon both industry leaders and government officials to provide timely updates about both this incident and emergency responses taken,” they mentioned.
Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley echoed these concerns saying he hadn’t received any direct communication from Suncor although he noted that city fire chief was consulting with them.“Given how unusual spills into rivers have become lately-and how much progress we’ve made addressing root causes-I expected more immediate communication,” Bradley commented. This has not loaded yet but your article continues below.
“Even one spill is too many; incidents like this hinder our advocacy efforts concerning Line 5 along with other pipelines,” he added.
Bradley indicated he anticipates discussing last week’s event when meeting later this week with officials from Aamjiwnaang.
Crew members were present early Wednesday at the blocked-off entry point along River Road leading into the site of the Suncor refinery in Sarnia. (Paul Morden/The Observer) Photo by Paul Morden / The Observer
Following this incident, the First Nation also requested assistance from local police regarding managing increased traffic along River Road due to transport trucks carrying fuel typically moved through pipelines.
Aamjiwnaang emphasized its position against allowing transport trucks along River Road during such sensitive situations.
They also called for stricter regulatory oversight over all activities involving pipelines, to ensure health safety standards for their community as well as environmental protection measures are maintained.
This has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.On September 10, 2013, a rupture occurred within the Sun- Canadian Pipeline close to Churchill Road and Vidal Street in Sarnia, resulting in an estimated 35,000 liters of diesel fuel being spilled. The TSSA investigation revealed damage caused by an approximate 15-centimeter break attributed to excessive external corrosion localized around certain areas. No charges were filed against the operator by regulators following findings based upon repairs conducted over several weeks before receiving approval again late November after implementation restrictions were applied.
Ontario’s Environment Ministry previously confirmed some low-sulfur diesel leaked into stormwater systems back then leading closure impacting drinking water intakes downstream temporarily without resulting charges filed against them either.
Source link
