CHARLOTTETOWN, Prince Edward Island, January 22, 2007 – Master Cleaners (1988) Ltd., represented by owner Robert MacLauchlan, of Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, appeared in Provincial Court on January 18, 2007 to plead guilty to two alleged violations of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.

On November 15, 2006 Environment Canada charged Robert MacLauchlan and his company, Master Cleaners Ltd., for violating sections 4 and 8(1) of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.

During an inspection in February 2006, an Environment Canada Enforcement Officer observed that Master Cleaners Ltd. failed to adequately store tetrachloroethylene residue. Additionally, Master Cleaners Ltd. did not have adequate wastewater treatment, thereby potentially allowing untreated tetrachloroethylene wastewater to be released down the drain.

The Court imposed a penalty on Master Cleaners Ltd. consisting of a $1,000 fine payable to the Courts, and a $3,000 fine payable to the Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment Canada. In addition to the fines, Master Cleaners Ltd. is required to develop and implement a set of written procedures in order to ensure that the company does not repeat the offence. The charges against Robert MacLauchlan were stayed by the Crown.

The penalties imposed by the Court on Master Cleaners Ltd. recognized that creative sentencing provides deterrence and allows funds to be directed back towards the community, where it can have a positive impact on the protection of the environment.

The Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations control the operation of dry cleaning machines that use tetrachloroethylene. The Regulations, registered in February 2003, were put in place to reduce releases of tetrachloroethylene to the environment by requiring newer, more efficient dry-cleaning machines, by minimizing spills of tetrachloroethylene, and by managing the collection and disposal of residues and waste water. The Regulations also impose reporting requirements on the import, recycling, sale and use of tetrachloroethylene.

The Environmental Damages Fund was created in 1995 to provide courts and companies with an option to direct that monetary penalties and settlements be invested for the repair of the actual harm done to the environment. It helps ensure the "polluter pays" principle is applied and that polluters take responsibility for their actions. The money in the Fund is allocated to local organizations, who often find various partners to contribute additional money and other resources to magnify the benefits of projects undertaken with the funds.

Environment Canada enforcement personnel investigate potential pollution offences under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and Canada's Fisheries Act. They help ensure that companies, government employees and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada's environment.
Kevin Buerfeind