SEPT-ÎLES, QC, Oct. 3, 2024
/CNW/ - Canadians know the value of a healthy and safe environment.
Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers strive
to ensure that businesses and individuals comply with laws and
regulations that protect Canada's
natural environment.
On October 1, 2024, Avjet Holding
inc., a company specializing in aviation fuel distribution, was
fined $200,000 by the Court of
Québec. The company pleaded guilty to one count of violating the
Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum
Products Regulations under the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999. The conviction is the result of a
petroleum product spill that occurred between January 17 and 18, 2023. The fine will be
directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund to support
projects that have a positive impact on Canada's natural environment.
Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers
launched an investigation after being informed of a petroleum
product spill at the Natashquan Airport in Quebec. The investigation proved that while
delivering fuel, a quantity of approximately 4,900 litres of the
product was spilled into the environment. Two valves left open by
an Avjet Holding inc. employee, as well as another defective valve
in the storage system's filling cabinet, were the cause of the
release.
Releasing a petroleum product into the environment as a result
of a leak in, or spill from, a tank is an offence under the
Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum
Products Regulations under the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999.
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 federal environmental laws.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free
subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the
Government of Canada is doing to
protect the natural environment.
Quick facts
- The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 governs
a variety of environmental matters, such as air and water
pollution, waste management, and toxic substances.
- The purpose of the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum
Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations (the
Regulations) under the Canadian Environmental Protection
Act, 1999, is to reduce the risk of contaminating soil and
groundwater due to spills and leaks of petroleum products from
storage systems. It establishes requirements for systems under
federal jurisdiction.
- The Regulations apply to storage systems with a capacity
of more than 230 litres, which contain petroleum products such as
gasoline, diesel, and home-heating oil, or allied petroleum
products.
- Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government
of Canada program administered by
Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund directs monies
received from fines, penalties, court orders, and voluntary
payments to projects that will repair environmental damage or
benefit the environment. The Fund aims to invest in the areas where
the environmental damage occurred.
Associated links
- Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999
- Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied
Petroleum Products Regulations
- Environmental Damages Fund
- Environmental Offenders Registry
Environment and Climate Change Canada's X (Twitter) page
Environment and Climate Change Canada's Facebook page
SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada