Perth's Services Ltd. ordered to pay $7000 for violating federal environmental law

THUNDER BAY, Ont. -- May 4, 2012 -- On April 26, 2012, Perth’s Services Ltd., a dry cleaning firm operating in Thunder Bay, Ontario, plead guilty in the Ontario Provincial Court of Justice to three charges of contravening the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations made pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). Perth’s Services Ltd. was ordered to pay a $7000 penalty, of which $5250 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund. Perth’s Services Ltd. has been granted 90 days to make payment.

Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene (PERC), is a commonly used dry-cleaning solvent and is designated as a toxic substance under the CEPA, 1999. The violations included failure to have impermeable containers, which are designed to safely capture spills from tanks or machines containing PERC, failure to keep tetrachloroethylene impermeable drain plugs readily accessible, and failure to keep all PERC waste containers covered at all times except during regular maintenance.

The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada, and was created in 1995 to provide the courts and companies with an option to direct monetary penalties and settlements to investments in the restoration of the environment. It helps ensure polluters take responsibility for their actions and enforces the "polluter pays" principle.

Further information on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Environmental Damages Fund may be found at CEPA Environmental Registry and Environmental Damages Fund.

Environment Canada has created a subscription service to help the public stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment. Subscribing to Environment Canada's Enforcement Notifications is easy, and free. Sign up today.

For more information, contact:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008