Fisheries Act offence results in $1.25M fine for Alberta-based fuel retailer
by Cleantech Canada Staff
Drever Agencies pleaded guilty to a charge of depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish
WETASKIWIN, Alta. — On Feb. 18, fuel distributor Drever Agencies Inc. was fined $1,250,000 in Wetaskiwin Provincial Court for an offence under the Fisheries Act.
The company pleaded guilty to a charge of depositing a deleterious substance into water frequented by fish. The fine will be directed to the federal government’s Environmental Damages Fund.
In August 2017, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers responded to a report of a solvent spill on a commercial property in Wetaskiwin. A number of dead fish were observed in an unnamed creek that flows into the Battle River. An investigation determined that approximately 1800 litres of Petrosol solvent leaked from a storage tank owned by Drever Agencies Inc. and entered the creek. Through laboratory analysis, it was confirmed that the solvent was deleterious (harmful to fish).
As a result of the conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry.
