Alberta is the most anti-environmental Canadian province.  Its government is completely bought and paid for by industry.  Tar sands oil extraction should not be undertaken in the first place; fines for killing animals are useless unless they are high enough to effect future behavior, which they almost certainly are not.  The government of Alberta couldn't care less about wildlife or the natural environment.  That government has been enabling the destructive oil and cattle industries for decades.  It was well known that operations like this would have devastating environmental consequences.  The government was told this and allowed these operations to take place, anyway

I agree Wolverine.
This is just PR. But, hey, still take the $500,000.

"...six months in jail for directors"

But it would be appealed for decades while they are out on "bail".  Yeah, until they actually serve time, it's worse than doing nothing.  

This gives the appearance of concern on the part of government, but the obvious loopholes belie that concern.  $650k?  Give us a break.

Government ought to charge what it would cost to build a complete renewably powered/GHG-free (wind resources are plentiful in the area) treatment plant for the waste, collect the 10s of millions of dollars and contract the construction, and require that the company use it.  No more open ponds full of toxins please?

Jailing the directors?  That's a great idea if it could ever happen in a timely fashion, but it can't and won't.

Nothing will bring back the ducks, but actual waste treatment might prevent this in the future.  Sound cannons and fines for not using them?  Ridiculous green washing.