TORONTO, Ont. -- January 31, 2011 -- An environmental enforcement investigation conducted by Environment Canada in co-operation with Transport Canada ended Friday, January 28, with a guilty plea from Jieyang Sigma Metal Plastic Inc., a parent company of J.S. Chen Recycling, of Toronto, in the Ontario Court of Justice. Jieyang Sigma Metal Plastic Inc. pleaded guiltyto three charges of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and two charges under the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992.
Jieyang Sigma Metal Plastic Inc. was fined $18,000 for violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and $12,000 for violating the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, 1992. Of this, $18,000 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund, $10,000 to the Technical Research and Development Fund and $2,000 to be directed to the Receiver General of Canada and credited to the Consolidated Revenue Fund.
The inspection that led to this investigation began in the fall of 2007. The investigation revealed violations under the Export and Import of Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Recyclable Material Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. During inspections at the Port of Vancouver, the Canada Border Services Agency's Export Unit examined two containers which were found to be holding approximately 1200 used lead acid batteries and seven cathode ray tube monitors. One container had been refused entry by China due to an error in shipment and was returned to Canada. The second container was destined for Hong Kong, but never left Vancouver. Both containers were referred to Environment Canada and Transport Canada for further examination.
The Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, aims to prevent pollution, and protect the environment and human health by preventing and managing risks posed by toxic and other harmful substances. The Act also manages the environmental and human health impacts through provisions related to biotechnology; marine pollution; disposal at sea; vehicle, engine and equipment emissions; fuels; hazardous wastes; and environmental emergencies.
For more information on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act, please visit: www.ec.gc.ca/CEPARegistry and http://laws.justice.gc.ca/en/T-19.01/index.html.
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008
