May 7, 2015 – Richmond, British Columbia – Environment Canada
On May 4, 2015, in British Columbia Provincial Court, Prairie Distributors (B.C.) Inc. was fined $62,500 under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999). The company pleaded guilty, on April 17, 2015, to four offences in contravention of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations.
In June 2012, Environment Canada enforcement officers conducted inspections of dry-cleaning businesses in British Columbia to verify compliance with the Regulations.
A subsequent investigation determined that Prairie Distributors (B.C.) Inc. had sold tetrachloroethylene, a toxic substance commonly known as PERC, to dry-cleaning facility owners or operators who did not have required secondary containment systems in place, which is in contravention of a condition of sale imposed by the Regulations.
The fine will be paid to the Environmental Damages Fund.
As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offender’s Registry.
Environmental Offenders Registry
CEPA Environmental Registry
Environmental Damages Fund
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