Clearwater River Dene Nation, store and administrator fined for environmental violation

La Loche, Saskatchewan - January 31, 2017 - Environment and Climate Change Canada

Canadians value clean air, clean water, and a sustainable environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers work hard to enforce Canada’s environmental laws.

On January 23, 2017, the Clearwater River Dene Nation, 101077233 Saskatchewan Ltd. (Clearwater Store), and band administrator, Walter Hainault, were sentenced in the Provincial Court of Saskatchewan after pleading guilty to failing to comply with an environmental protection compliance order (EPCO) issued by Environment and Climate Change Canada.

The Clearwater River Dene Nation was fined $100,000; Clearwater Store was fined $25,000; Walter Hainault was fined $5,000. The fines will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

The EPCO was issued following an inspection at the store to verify compliance with the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations. Charges were laid under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 after the EPCO failed to bring about full compliance with the Regulations.

Quick facts

• EPCOs are issued under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers to direct that various measures be taken to stop or to prevent the commission of an alleged contravention of the Act or its regulations.
• The purpose of the Storage Tank Systems for Petroleum Products and Allied Petroleum Products Regulations is to reduce the risk of contaminating soil and groundwater due to spills and leaks of petroleum products from storage tank systems.

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