Domtar must pay $75,000 for violations of Fisheries Act

Domtar Inc. Ordered to Pay $75,000 for Violations of Fisheries Act

ESPANOLA, Ont. - December 20, 2013 - Domtar Inc. was sentenced on December 17, 2013, in Ontario Provincial Court for violating the Fisheries Act and was ordered to pay $75,000, of which $67,500 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

Domtar Inc. pleaded guilty to one count pursuant to subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act for offences occurring at its mill in Espanola, Ontario, between December 14 and 16 of 2010. Domtar Inc. failed to adhere to the regulatory limits for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) and thereby deposited effluent that was deleterious to fish, contrary to the Fisheries Act. Discharge of BOD matter into water leads to the consumption of oxygen in the receiving water which may render the water uninhabitable to fish and other aquatic organisms.

Environment Canada's enforcement personnel conduct inspections and investigations under a number of acts and regulations including the Fisheries Act. They help ensure that companies, government entities and the general public comply with legislation and regulations that protect Canada's environment.

The Environmental Damages Fund, which is administered by Environment Canada, was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit our environment.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008