News Release

For immediate release
October 29, 2003

GOODYEAR CANADA INC. FINED $45,000

Whitby – Goodyear Canada Inc. has been fined $45,000, plus a 25-percent victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to one count of discharging a contaminant into the natural environment that caused an adverse effect.

Goodyear Canada Inc. operates a conveyor belt manufacturing facility in Bowmanville, Ontario, adjacent to a residential area. The Court heard that in August 2002 the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) received complaints from neighbouring residents that carbon black, also called black soot, was being discharged from the facility and was landing on, and getting into, their homes. An MOE inspection confirmed that the facility was using carbon black and that this substance was present on and in homes in the surrounding area.

Individuals living near the facility told an MOE investigator that the carbon black had adhered to, and in some cases had stained, outdoor items such items as patio furniture, bricks, siding and window sills, and indoor items such as furniture, curtains, flooring, various household objects and even pets. Residents complained that the carbon black was difficult to remove and clean up. The MOE investigation concluded that the Goodyear facility had discharged the carbon black that had been found at the neighbouring homes.

Goodyear Canada Inc. was fined $45,000 under section 14(1) Environmental Protection Act for the discharge of a contaminant that had an adverse effect.

Justice of the Peace Jack Wiley heard the case on October 27, 2003 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Whitby.

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Contact:
John Steele
Communications Branch
Ministry of the Environment
(416) 314-6666