London dry cleaner fined for environmental offence

London, Ontario – July 10, 2017 – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Canadians value a safe and a clean environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers work hard every day to make sure people and companies are following Canadian environmental laws.

On June 7, 2017, Peter’s Drive-In Cleaners Ltd., located in London, Ontario, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice to two counts of contravening the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations made pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. Peter’s Drive-In Cleaners Ltd. was fined $4,000 for each offence. In addition, Barbara Jovanovic, an owner of Peter’s Drive-In Cleaners Ltd., pleaded guilty to one count of contravening the regulations, and she was fined $2,000. The $10,000 in fines will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

In June 2015, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers inspected the facility. The inspection revealed that wastewater containing tetrachloroethylene had not been transported to a waste-management facility and that records had not been maintained. Both acts are in contravention of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.

Quick facts

• Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene or PERC, is a chemical used in Canadian dry cleaning. Tetrachloroethylene can enter the environment through the soil, where it can damage plants, and it can find its way into groundwater.
• On March 29, 2000, tetrachloroethylene was added to the “List of Toxic Substances” in Schedule 1 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. According to section 64 of the Act, a substance is classified as toxic if it may have an immediate or long-term harmful effect on the environment or if it may constitute a danger in Canada to human life or health.

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)