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Vancouver oil spill cleanup becomes centre of spat as politicians point fingers

WATCH ABOVE: While the spill is 80% contained, politicians on both sides have weighed in on the response to the spill. Catherine Urquhart reports

VANCOUVER – A political spat is bubbling up over the bunker fuel spill that polluted Vancouver’s English Bay.

Both B.C. Premier Christy Clark and Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson have heavily criticized the federal government over the lack of speedy response to the spill.

WATCH BELOW: English Bay oil spill: Impact on wildlife

Clark threatened to take over other similar jobs from the coast guard, saying the province could do much better.

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But federal Industry Minister James Moore told reporters that it was irresponsible for people to dial up anxiety and form broad conclusions about the coast guard’s work, without knowing the facts.

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READ NOW: Number of spills in B.C. waters increased in last 2 years

Moore says Canada has one of the best clean up regimes in the world and he points out that 80 per cent of fuel was cleaned up in 36 hours, something he called very impressive.

About 27-hundred litres of fuel leaked from a grain-carrying ship starting on Wednesday night.

WATCH BELOW: English Bay oil spill: Growing number of questions

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