Canada fines CM Security of $240,000 to be paid to Environmental Damages Fund

C.M. Security Holding Ltd. pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the PCB Regulations and one count of failing to comply with an environmental protection compliance order, thereby committing offenses under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Canadians value a safe and clean environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers strive to ensure that businesses and individuals comply with the laws and regulations administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada, which protect Canada’s natural environment.

C.M. Security Holding Ltd. pleaded guilty to four counts of violating the PCB Regulations and one count of failing to comply with an environmental protection compliance order, thereby committing offenses under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

As a result, the company was fined $240,000 to be paid to the Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The company was also ordered to issue a notice of offense in a known newspaper within six months.

In January 2015, an on-site inspection by Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers confirmed that PCBs from two transformers on the company’s property had been released into the environment, contaminating more than 400 metric tonnes of soil. In February 2015, officers issued an environmental protection compliance order directing that corrective measures be taken.

Subsequently, an investigation was undertaken, which determined that the company allowed PCB-containing liquids to be released into the environment, failed to submit a written report following the release, failed to implement five of the six ordered actions, illegally used and stored PCB-containing equipment beyond the period allowed by the regulations, and failed to submit annual reports as required by the regulations for the years 2008-2014 and for 2016.

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