Paramount Resources Ltd. v Grey Owl Engineering Ltd., 2022 ABQB 333

We represented the defendant in a negligence action for $20 million remediation costs after an oil spill from the pipeline. The defendants were involved in the construction of the pipeline in 2004. There was a leak from the pipeline in 2018 and the pipeline’s owner, the plaintiff, was claiming contribution to its statutory remedial obligations under the Environmental Protection and Enforcement Act (EPEA). There was also a cross claim that for an extension of the limitations period under section 218 of the EPEA. McLennan Ross applied for summary dismissal on the basis that the 10-year limitation period had expired under the Limitations Act. The application for summary dismissal was successful as the limitations period has expired, and there was no path for granting the extension under s. 218. Therefore, the remediation costs remain with the plaintiff pipeline owners.