News Release

For immediate release
November 27, 2007

CITY OF GUELPH FINED $40,000 FOR DISCHARGING ODOURS

GUELPH – The City of Guelph has been fined $40,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to discharging odours into the natural environment that caused an adverse effect.

The City operates the Waste Resource Innovation Centre (WRIC) in Guelph. This facility is a refuse transfer station and dry recycling plant. The City also operated an organic waste processing plant at this location until June 29, 2006. The facility operates under Certificates of Approval issued by the Ministry of the Environment.
 
The Court heard that the Ministry of the Environment received numerous complaints of odours emanating from the facility on 27 separate occasions in 2005.  These odours resulted in various interferences to residential and employment activities in the surrounding area.

The City was charged following an investigation by the Ministry of the Environment’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch.

The City of Guelph pleaded guilty to one count of discharging a contaminant, or causing or permitting the discharge of a contaminant, into the natural environment, contrary to s. 14 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act.  The City was fined $40,000, plus a victim fine surcharge, and given 30 days to pay. 

Justice of the Peace H. Gay heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice in Guelph, Ontario, and imposed sentence on November 22, 2007.

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For further information

Members of the media:
John Steele Communications Branch (416) 314-6666
Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923/ www.ontario.ca/environment

 

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