YELLOWKNIFE, Sept. 16, 2011 /CNW/ - Imperial Oil Resources NWT Ltd.
today pleaded guilty in Territorial Court to federal charges of
releasing a harmful substance into fish-bearing waters, and violating
conditions of its water license. The company was fined a total of
$185,000.
The plea was entered on one count under the federal Fisheries Act s. 36(3), and relates to the release of NALCO 7390 (a substance used to reduce
corrosion) into the Mackenzie River between October 4 and November 2,
2009. The company was fined $5,000 for the offence and was also
ordered to pay $155,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) to be
used to promote the conservation and protection of fish and fish
habitat in the Sahtu Region of the NWT.
The company also pleaded guilty to one count under the Northwest Territories Waters Act, a federal statute enforced by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern
Development Canada (AANDC). The fine of $25,000 was assessed on a
charge of violating conditions of the water license, contrary to
section 40(2)(a) of the NWT Waters Act for the same release of the NALCO 7390 substance.
Administered by Environment Canada, the Environmental Damages Fund gives
courts a way to guarantee that the money from pollution penalties and
settlements is directly invested to repair the actual harm done to
wildlife and the environment.
Environment Canada and Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development
Canada enforcement officers investigated together and jointly laid the
charges.
Environment Canada has created a subscription service to help the public
stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our
natural environment. Subscribing to Environment Canada's Enforcement
Notifications is easy, and free. Sign up today.
(Également offert en français)
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