06/05/2005 - Environment
Canada laid charges against Toxco Waste Management
Ltd. of Trail, British Columbia, on April
27, 2005, for allegedly importing hazardous
waste without a permit in 2003 and 2004.
The company has been charged with four counts
under subsection 185(1) of the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999. The charges stem from
the alleged importation of four shipments
of used lithium and potassium hydroxide batteries
from the United States and Israel. The hazardous
waste was allegedly imported in August and
December 2003, and February and March of 2004,
through the Ports of Entry of Paterson and
Vancouver, British Columbia.
A date for a first appearance in Provincial
Court has been set for May 12, 2005, in Rossland,
British Columbia.
Subsection 185(1) of the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999 prohibits the import
of hazardous waste into Canada without a federal
permit. The maximum penalty for such an offence
is a $1,000,000 fine and three years imprisonment
on indictment, or a $300,000 fine and six
months imprisonment on summary conviction.
The charges follow an investigation by enforcement
officers of Environment Canada’s Environmental
Protection Branch in Vancouver, British Columbia.
Environment Canada’s enforcement staff investigates
alleged offences under the Canadian Environmental
Protection Act, 1999 and the Canada’s Fisheries
Act, to ensure that companies, governments
and the general public comply with legislation
and regulations that protect the Canadian
environment.