News Release

For immediate release
December 23, 2003

NEWMAN METAL PROCESSING LTD. AND ITS PRESIDENT FINED $75,000
FOR DUST AND ODOUR EMISSIONS

ST. CATHARINES - Newman Metal Processing Ltd. and its President, Steven Mark Newman, have been fined a total of $75,000 – plus a 25-percent victim fine surcharge – after pleading guilty to charges under the Environmental Protection Act (EPA) relating to dust particulate and odour discharges.

The Court heard that, on various dates in 2000 and 2001, dust particulate was discharged from Newman Metal Processing’s scrap metal facility in St. Catharines. The Court heard that the discharges caused physical discomfort to employees of a neighbouring facility, resulting in their inability to carry out their usual duties on several occasions. The Court also heard that on September 19, 2001, the company discharged a strong gas-like odour from the same facility, causing concern throughout the neighbouring community.

Newman Metal Processing Ltd. was fined $30,000 for each of two counts under section 14(1) of the EPA for discharging a contaminant into the natural environment that caused or was likely to cause an adverse effect. The company was fined a further $10,000 under section 186(2) of the EPA for failing to comply with a Ministry of the Environment Order requiring the company to install an approved exhaust system by January 13, 2001. The company has since complied with the Order. Company President Steven Mark Newman was fined $4,000 for one count under section 14(1) of the EPA and $1,000 under section 186(2) of the EPA.

Justice of the Peace Donna Cowan handed down the fines in the Ontario Court of Justice in St. Catharines on December 19, 2003.

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Contact:
Mark Rabbior
Communications Branch
(416) 314-6666