Velocity Inc. and its president fined $37,200 for environmental violation

MONTRÉAL, Que. - November 7, 2012 - On October 29, 2012, Velocity Inc., in Valleyfield, Quebec, and Stéphane Poirier, its President, were fined $37,200 after pleading guilty to illegally importing 600 cylinders of a controlled substance under the Ozone-Depleting Substances Regulations, 1998 (ODSR, 1998). 

The company was fined $30,000, and its President $7,200. The fines, which totaled $37,200, will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund by the court.

In February 2011, Environment Canada enforcement officers inspected a cargo of cylinders from China. The cylinders contained chlorodifluoromethane (HCFC-22, or R-22), a refrigerant.

The ODSR, 1998, regulates the importation, manufacture, use, sale and exportation of ozone-depleting substances. Illegal importation is an offence under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). 

The Environmental Damages Fund, administered by Environment Canada, follows the “polluter pays” principle to help ensure that those who cause damage to the environment or harm wildlife habitat take responsibility for their actions. It supports investments in repairing damage to the environment and wildlife habitat.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008