The Government of Canada is committed to protecting the health, safety, and environment of Canadians. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforces the laws that protect the air, water, and natural environment in Canada, and it takes pollution incidents and threats to the environment seriously.
On August 15, 2024, 2253457 Ontario Inc., a fuel-supply company in Mississauga, Ontario, was fined $100,000 at the Ontario Court of Justice in Brampton. The company pleaded guilty to one offence under the Fisheries Act relating to the unlawful deposit of diesel fuel into fish-bearing waters between February 7 and March 5, 2019. The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.
On February 8, 2019, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers responded to complaints relating to a diesel fuel spill in Etobicoke Creek. Officers conducted an inspection at the company's diesel fuel station on Dixie Road in Mississauga, Ontario. During the inspection, officers observed diesel fuel entering Etobicoke Creek, a body of water frequented by fish. The officers collected samples, and issued a Fisheries Act Direction to the company, requiring them to stop the release and prevent any further deposits to Etobicoke Creek.
On February 14, 2019, enforcement officers initiated an investigation. The laboratory analysis revealed that the samples contained diesel, a substance that is deleterious to fish. Through their investigation, enforcement officers determined that poor maintenance of the on-site oil-water separator led to a system failure, allowing diesel fuel to be discharged through the storm sewer into Etobicoke Creek.
As a result of this conviction, the company's name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. The Registry contains information on convictions of corporations registered for offences committed under certain federal environmental laws.
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