Montreal, Quebec, May
16, 2006 – Spruce Falls Inc., a division of Tembec
Inc. that operates the industrial complex in Témiscaming
in Quebec, appeared yesterday before a Quebec
Court judge and pleaded guilty to charges under
the Fisheries Act.
Spruce Falls Inc. pleaded guilty
to having deposited a deleterious substance (final
effluent from the biological treatment system)
into the Ottawa River 16 times between April 9,
2003, and December 14, 2004, in violation of subsection
36(3) of the Fisheries Act. In addition, the company
twice failed to monitor final effluent from the
biological treatment system. Lastly, between March
1 and June 14, 2004, Spruce Falls Inc. partially
ignored a direction issued by an inspector under
38(6) of the Fisheries Act requiring the implementation
of measures to prevent further deposits of deleterious
substances from occurring.
The $1000,000 penalty that Spruce
Falls Inc. was ordered to pay consists of a $250,000
fine and a $500,000 payment to the Environmental
Damages Fund, administered by Environment Canada.
The judge based the decision on a submission submitted
jointly by the Crown and the defence. Company
officials attested to the fact that an anaerobic
effluent treatment system was fully installed
at the Témiscaming industrial complex and
that the system has been in operation since January
2006. The payment to the Environmental Damages
Fund will be used to promote rehabilitation projects.
Local community and environmental groups will
have an opportunity to submit project proposals
for the funds. The Environmental Damages Fund
ensures polluters take responsibility for offences
and gives courts a way to guarantee that money
is directly invested to improve the quality of
the environment.
The charges were laid following
an investigation by Environmental Enforcement
officers of Environment Canada — Quebec Region.
Environment Canada investigates 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.
For aditional information, consult Environment
Canada's Environmental Law Enforcement web site.
