Woodman's Sea Products guilty of environmental offence

January 28, 2015 - Harbour Grace, Newfoundland

On January 26, 2015, Woodman’s Sea Products Limited was fined $100,000 after pleading guilty in Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, provincial court to an offence under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). The offence occurred in July 2012, and included the disposal of crab processing waste material contrary to section 125 of CEPA, 1999, which requires an Environment Canada-issued disposal at sea permit.

As per amendments to CEPA, 1999, resulting from the Environmental Enforcement Act, this corporation received a mandatory minimum fine of $100,000. This fine will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF). The mandatory minimum penalty is aimed at promoting compliance with federal environmental legislation. As a result of the conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offender’s Registry.

Quick Facts

• CEPA, 1999, is an important part of Canada's body of federal environmental legislation. It is an Act respecting pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health, in order to contribute to sustainable development.
• The EDF is administered by Environment Canada. It was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our natural environment. Since 2014, all fines paid as a result CEPA, 1999, offences are directed to the EDF.
• The Environmental Offenders Registry contains information on convictions of corporations, of offences committed under certain federal environmental legislation. The registry contains convictions recorded for offences committed since June 18, 2009--when the Environmental Enforcement Act received Royal Assent.

Associated Links

CEPA Environmental Registry
Environmental Damages Fund
Environmental Offenders Registry

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008