Auto paint and supply company fined for environmental violations

September 18, 2017 – Toronto, Ontario

Canadians value a safe and a clean environment. Environment and Climate Change Canada’s (ECCC) enforcement officers work hard every day to make sure individuals and companies are following Canadian environmental laws.

Fine Auto Paints and Supplies Ltd. of Scarborough, Ontario, was fined $25,000, after pleading guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice on September 13, 2017 to one count of contravening the Volatile Organic Compound Concentration Limits for Automotive Refinishing Products Regulations, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The fine will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund (EDF).

An investigation by ECCC enforcement officers revealed that the company had sold automotive refinishing products that contained Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in excess of the allowable limit.

VOCs are primary precursors to the formation of ground level ozone and particulate matter which are the main ingredients of smog. Smog is known to have adverse effects on human health and the environment.

As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment.

Quick facts

• Created in 1995, the Environmental Damages Fund is a Government of Canada program administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The Fund follows the “polluter pays” principle and ensures that court-awarded penalties are used for projects with positive environmental impacts.
• The Environmental Offenders Registry contains information on convictions of corporations registered for offences committed under certain federal environmental laws.

Associated links

• Volatile Organic Compounds
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999
• Environmental Offenders Registry
• Environmental Damages Fund

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)