News Release

For immediate release
October 29, 2003

DECOR PRECAST COMPANY LIMITED FINED $20,000

HAMILTON – Decor Precast Company Limited has been fined a total of $20,000, plus a 25-percent victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to three charges under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA).

Decor Precast Company Limited operates a cement products manufacturing facility in the City of Hamilton. In October 2001 a Ministry of the Environment inspection revealed that the company had installed a cement silo and a dust collector without first obtaining the necessary certificates of approval; both pieces of equipment are capable of discharging a contaminant.

Decor Precast Company Limited was convicted on two counts under section 9(1)(a) of the EPA for installing equipment without a certificate of approval; the company was fined $7,000 for each count. Decor Precast was also convicted on one count under section 9(7) of the EPA for operating the dust collector without a certificate of approval; the company was fined $6,000.

Justice of the Peace Wendy Casey heard the case on October 16, 2003 in the Ontario Court of Justice in Hamilton.

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