Québec, Quebec, June 19, 2007 - Environment Canada announced today that Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc., a division of Cascades Inc., which operates the Breakey Fibres Division mill in Levis, Quebec, appeared today before a Court of Quebec judge and pleaded guilty to charges under the Fisheries Act.Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. pleaded guilty to three counts of indictment for having, in December 2003, January and February 2004, and again in February 2005, deposited a deleterious substance (final effluent from the water treatment system) into the Chaudière River, in violation of subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act.The Court of Quebec ordered Cascades Fine Papers Group Inc. to pay a penalty of $125,000.00--a $45,000.00 fine and an $80,000.00 payment to the Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment Canada. The judge based the decision on a submission submitted jointly by the prosecution and the defence. The payment to the Environmental Damages Fund will be used to promote restoration projects. Local community and ecology groups will have an opportunity to submit project proposals for the funds. The Environmental Damages Fund helps ensure that polluters take responsibility for offences and provides courts a way of guaranteeing that money is directly invested to improve the quality of the environment.The charges were laid following an investigation by officers from Environment Canada’s Environmental Enforcement Branch – Quebec Region. Environment Canada investigates potential pollution offences under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and under the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. The Department ensures that companies and individuals comply with legislation that protects Canada’s environment.For further information about the Environmental Law Enforcement Program of Environment Canada, consult the Green Lane at http://www.ec.gc.ca/ele-ale/.For more information, please contact:Isabelle GouletManager, Investigations SectionEnvironment Canada514-496-0684
