Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999: part 10


“conveyance”
« moyen de transport »

“conveyance” includes any vehicle, ship or aircraft.

“foreign national”
« étranger »

“foreign national” has the same meaning as in subsection 2(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

“place”
« lieu »

“place” includes any platform anchored at sea, shipping container or conveyance.

“substance”
« substance »

“substance” includes hazardous wastes, hazardous recyclable material or non-hazardous waste, as those expressions are defined by regulations made under section 191, and waste or other matter listed in Schedule 5.

1999, c. 33, s. 216; 2005, c. 23, s. 28.

Previous Version

Definition of “ship that is not a Canadian ship”

216.1 (1) For the purpose of subsections 217(6), 218(16) and (17) and 220(5.1) and section 275.1, a “ship that is not a Canadian ship” does not include a ship that

  1. (a) that is not registered, listed or licensed under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 or under the laws of another state but is owned by one or more persons each of whom is

    1. a Canadian citizen,

    2. in the case of a vessel that is not required to be registered, listed or licensed under that Act, a person who is resident and domiciled in Canada, or

    3. a corporation incorporated under the laws of Canada or a province, that has its principal place of business in Canada; or

  2. (b) that is not registered, listed or licensed under the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 but is owned or operated by Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Definition of “committed in the course of enforcement of this Act”

(2) For the purpose of subsections 217(4) and 271.1(2), sections 275.1 and 278.1 and subsections 279(1) and (3), “committed in the course of enforcement of this Act” means committed by or against a person who is engaged in carrying out duties or functions, or exercising a power, under this Act or a person acting under their direction and control.

2005, c. 23, ss. 29, 51.

Previous Version

Designation of Enforcement Officers and Analysts

Designation

217. (1) The Minister may designate as enforcement officers or analysts for the purposes of this Act, or any provision of this Act,

  1. (a) persons or classes of persons who, in the Minister’s opinion, are qualified to be so designated; and

  2. (b) with the approval of a government, persons or classes of persons employed by the government in the administration of a law respecting the protection of the environment.

Production of certificate of designation

(2) Every enforcement officer or analyst shall be furnished with a certificate of designation as an enforcement officer or analyst, as the case may be, and on entering any place under section 218 or 220, as the case may be, shall, if so requested, produce the certificate to the person in charge of the place.

Powers of enforcement officers

(3) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, enforcement officers have all the powers of a peace officer, but the Minister may specify limits on those powers when designating any person or class of persons.

Powers in exclusive economic zone

(4) Every power - including arrest, entry, search and seizure - that may be exercised in Canada in respect of an offence under this Act or the Criminal Code may, in respect of an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division, or in respect of an offence under the Criminal Code that is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act, be exercised in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c) if the offence was committed in that area of the sea.

Exercising powers in cases of hot pursuit

(5) The powers referred to in subsection (4) may be exercised in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(g) if hot pursuit has been commenced in Canada or in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e) and (g).

When consent of Attorney General of Canada required

(6) The powers referred to in subsection (4) may not be exercised under that subsection or subsection (5) in relation to a ship that is not a Canadian ship, or to a foreign national who is on board such a ship, without the consent of the Attorney General of Canada.

1999, c. 33, s. 217; 2005, c. 23, s. 30.

Previous Version

Immunity

217.1 Enforcement officers and analysts are not personally liable for anything they do or omit to do in good faith while carrying out duties or exercising powers under this Act, including any failure to exercise a discretionary authority.

2009, c. 14, s. 53.

Inspection

Inspection

218. (1) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time, enter and inspect any place if the enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that

  1. (a) there can be found in the place a substance to which this Act applies or a product containing such a substance;

  2. (b) fuels to which this Act applies are being or have been produced or blended, or can be found, in the place;

  3. (c) a cleaning product or water conditioner, as defined in section 116, is being or has been produced or can be found in the place;

  4. (d) regulations made under section 209 apply to or in respect of the place;

  5. (e) the place is a source in respect of which regulations have been made under section 167 or 177 or a place in respect of which regulations have been made under section 200;

  6. (f) a substance is being loaded for the purpose of disposal at sea or is being disposed of at sea;

  7. (g) any vehicle, engine or equipment of a class for which standards for emissions have been prescribed that is owned by or is on the premises of a company or a consignee of imported vehicles or engines or imported equipment can be found in the place;

  8. (h) any component to be used in the manufacture of a vehicle, engine or equipment for which standards for emissions have been prescribed can be found in the place;

  9. (i) any record in relation to the design, manufacture, testing and field performance of a vehicle, engine or equipment in so far as it relates to emissions can be found in the place; or

  10. (j) any books, records, electronic data or other documents relevant to the administration of this Act can be found in the place.

Private dwelling-place

(2) An enforcement officer may not enter a private dwelling-place or any part of a place that is designed to be used and is being used as a permanent or temporary private dwelling-place except

  1. (a) with the consent of the occupant of the place; or

  2. (b) under the authority of a warrant issued under subsection (3).

Warrant for inspection of dwelling-place

(3) Where on ex parte application a justice is satisfied by information on oath that

  1. (a) the conditions for entry described in subsection (1) exist in relation to a private dwelling-place,

  2. (b) entry to the dwelling-place is necessary for any purpose relating to the administration of this Act, and

  3. (c) entry to the dwelling-place has been refused or there are reasonable grounds for believing that entry will be refused,

the justice may issue a warrant authorizing the enforcement officer named in it to conduct an inspection of the dwelling-place subject to any conditions that may be specified in the warrant, and authorizing any other person named therein to accompany the enforcement officer and exercise any power specified in the warrant.

Warrants for inspection of non-dwellings

(4) Where on ex parte application a justice is satisfied by information on oath that

  1. (a) the conditions for entry described in subsection (1) exist in relation to a place other than a private dwelling-place,

  2. (b) entry to that place is necessary for any purpose relating to the administration of this Act,

  3. (c) entry to that place has been refused, the enforcement officer was not able to enter without the use of force or the place was abandoned, and

  4. (d) subject to subsection (5), all reasonable attempts were made to notify the owner, operator or person in charge of the place,

the justice may issue a warrant authorizing the enforcement officer named in it to conduct an inspection of the place, subject to any conditions that may be specified in the warrant, and authorizing any other person named therein to accompany the enforcement officer and exercise any power specified in the warrant.

Waiving notice

(5) The justice may waive the requirement to give notice referred to in subsection (4) where the justice is satisfied that attempts to give the notice would be unsuccessful because the owner, operator or person in charge is absent from the jurisdiction of the justice or that it is not in the public interest to give the notice.

Use of force

(6) In executing a warrant issued under subsection (3) or (4), an enforcement officer shall not use force unless the use of force has been specifically authorized in the warrant.

Stopping and detaining conveyances

(7) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time, direct that any conveyance be stopped - or be moved by the route and in the manner that the officer may specify, to a place specified by the officer where an inspection can be carried out - and the officer may, for a reasonable time, detain any conveyance, platform or other structure.

Moving and detaining shipping containers

(7.1) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time, direct that any shipping container be moved to a place specified by the officer and the officer may, for a reasonable time, detain the container.

Powers in relation to ships, etc.

(8) Subject to subsection (2), for the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time,

  1. (a) board any ship, platform or other structure in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e), or any aircraft in Canada, if the enforcement officer believes on reasonable grounds that the ship, platform or other structure or aircraft has on board a substance to be disposed of at sea; and

  2. (b) travel on any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure that is loaded with a substance to be disposed of at sea.

Enforcement officer and analyst to receive accommodation

(9) An enforcement officer who travels on a ship, aircraft, platform or other structure under paragraph (8)(b), and any analyst who accompanies the enforcement officer, shall be carried free of charge to and from the disposal site, and the person in command of the ship or aircraft or in charge of the platform or structure shall provide the enforcement officer and analyst with suitable accommodation and food free of charge.

Powers of enforcement officer

(10) In carrying out an inspection of a place under this section, an enforcement officer may, for the purposes of this Act,

  1. (a) examine any substance, product, fuel, cleaning product or water conditioner referred to in subsection (1) or any other thing relevant to the administration of this Act that is found in the place;

  2. (b) open and examine any receptacle or package found that the enforcement officer believes on reasonable grounds contains any substance, product, air contaminant, fuel, cleaning product or water conditioner, engine, equipment or component;

  3. (c) examine any books, records, electronic data or other documents that the enforcement officer believes on reasonable grounds contain any information relevant to the administration of this Act and make copies of them or take extracts from them;

  4. (d) take samples of anything relevant to the administration of this Act; and

  5. (e) conduct any tests or take any measurements.

Disposition of samples

(11) An enforcement officer may dispose a sample taken under paragraph (10)(d) in any manner that the enforcement officer considers appropriate.

Analysts

(12) An analyst may, for the purposes of this Act, accompany an enforcement officer who is carrying out an inspection of a place under this section and the analyst may, when so accompanying an enforcement officer, enter the place and exercise any of the powers described in subsections (8) and (10).

Operation of computer system and copying equipment

(13) In carrying out an inspection of a place under this section, an enforcement officer may

  1. (a) use or cause to be used any computer system at the place to examine any data contained in or available to the computer system;

  2. (b) reproduce any record or cause it to be reproduced from the data in the form of a printout or other intelligible output;

  3. (c) take a printout or other output for examination or copying; and

  4. (d) use or cause to be used any copying equipment at the place to make copies of the record.

Duty of person in possession or control

(14) Every person who is in possession or control of a place being inspected under this section shall permit the enforcement officer to do anything referred to in subsection (13).

Inspections in exclusive economic zone

(15) For the purpose of verifying compliance with Division 3 of Part 7 and regulations made under that Division, subsections (1) to (14) also apply in respect of a place in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c).

Consent of Minister required

(16) The consent of the Minister is required for the exercise in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c) of any power under this section in relation to a ship that is not a Canadian ship.

Consent of Attorney General not required

(17) For greater certainty, the consent of the Attorney General of Canada is not required for the exercise of any power under this section in relation to a ship that is not a Canadian ship.

1999, c. 33, s. 218; 2005, c. 23, s. 31; 2008, c. 31, s. 4; 2009, c. 14, s. 54.

Previous Version

Production of documents and samples

219. (1) The Minister may, for the purposes of this Act and the regulations, by registered letter or by a demand served personally, require any person to produce at a place specified by the Minister anything referred to in paragraph 218(10)(c) or any samples referred to in paragraph 218(10)(d) within any reasonable time and in any reasonable manner that may be stipulated therein.

Compliance

(2) Any person who is required to produce anything under subsection (1) shall, despite any other law to the contrary, do so as required.

Search

Authority to issue warrant for search and seizure

220. (1) Where on ex parte application a justice is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that there is in any place

  1. (a) anything by means of or in relation to which any provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened, or

  2. (b) anything that there are reasonable grounds to believe will afford evidence with respect to the commission of an offence under this Act,

the justice may issue a warrant authorizing an enforcement officer, or authorizing any other person named in the warrant, to enter and search the place and to seize anything referred to in paragraph (a) or (b) subject to any conditions that may be specified in the warrant.

Warrant for seizure of ships, etc.

(2) If on ex parte application a justice is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under this Act has been committed by an owner of any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure, the justice may issue a warrant authorizing an enforcement officer, or authorizing any other person named in the warrant, to seize the ship, aircraft, platform or structure anywhere in Canada and, in the case of a ship, platform or structure, within Canadian waters.

Search and seizure

(3) A person authorized by a warrant issued under subsection (1) or (2) may

  1. (a) at any reasonable time enter and search a place referred to in the warrant;

  2. (b) seize and detain anything referred to in the warrant; and

  3. (c) exercise the powers described in subsection 218(10) or (13).

Where warrant not necessary

(4) An enforcement officer may exercise the powers described in subsection (3) without a warrant if the conditions for obtaining the warrant exist but by reason of exigent circumstances it would not be practical to obtain the warrant.

Exigent circumstances

(5) For greater certainty, exigent circumstances include circumstances in which the delay necessary to obtain a warrant under subsection (1) or (2) would result in danger to human life or the environment or the loss or destruction of evidence.

Exception in relation to ships that are not Canadian ships

(5.1) Despite subsection (4), an enforcement officer may exercise the powers described in subsection (3) without a warrant in relation to a ship that is not a Canadian ship if

  1. (a) the conditions for obtaining the warrant exist but by reason of exigent circumstances it would not be practical to obtain the warrant; and

  2. (b) the Attorney General of Canada has consented to the exercise of the powers without a warrant.

Operation of computer system and copying equipment

(6) A person authorized under this section to search a place may

  1. (a) use or cause to be used any computer system at the place to search any data contained in or available to the computer system;

  2. (b) reproduce any record or cause it to be reproduced from the data in the form of a printout or other intelligible output;

  3. (c) seize any printout or other output for examination or copying; and

  4. (d) use or cause to be used any copying equipment at the place to make copies of the record.

Duty of person in possession or control

(7) Every person who is in possession or control of a place in respect of which a search is carried out under this section shall permit the person carrying out the search to do anything referred to in subsection (6).

Accommodation

(8) A person who is exercising powers described in subsection (3) on a ship, an aircraft, a platform or other structure shall be carried free of charge, and the person in command of the ship or aircraft or in charge of the platform or other structure shall provide the person exercising those powers with suitable accommodation and food free of charge.

1999, c. 33, s. 220; 2005, c. 23, s. 32; 2009, c. 14, s. 55.

Previous Version

Custody

221. (1) Any thing seized under section 220 shall be delivered into the custody of any person that the Minister directs.

Discharge of cargo

(2) Where a thing seized under section 220 has cargo on board, the cargo may be discharged, under the supervision of

  1. (a) the enforcement officer or other person by whom the thing was seized, or

  2. (b) the person into whose custody the thing was delivered in accordance with subsection (1),

at the place in Canada that is capable of receiving the cargo and that is nearest to the place of seizure, or at any other place that is satisfactory to the enforcement officer or other person supervising the discharge of the cargo.

Sale of perishable cargo

(3) Where a thing seized under section 220 has cargo on board that is perishable,

  1. (a) the enforcement officer or other person by whom the thing was seized, or

  2. (b) the person into whose custody the thing was delivered in accordance with subsection (1)

may sell the cargo or the portion of it that is perishable, as the case may be, and the proceeds of the sale shall be paid to the Receiver General or shall be deposited in a bank to the credit of the Receiver General.

Order for delivery of cargo

(4) The owner of any cargo of anything seized under section 220 may apply to the Federal Court for an order requiring any person who has custody of the cargo or the proceeds of any sale thereof to deliver the cargo or the proceeds of sale to the owner, and the Court may make such an order where it is satisfied that the applicant is the owner of the cargo to which the application relates.

Redelivery on deposit of security

222. (1) Where a thing has been seized under section 220, the Federal Court may, with the consent of the Minister, order redelivery of the thing or delivery of the proceeds realized from a sale of any perishable cargo under subsection 221(3) to the person from whom the thing was seized if security in the form of a bond in an amount and form satisfactory to the Minister is given to the Minister.

Seized ship, etc., to be returned unless proceedings instituted

(2) Anything referred to in subsection (1) that has been seized under section 220, or any security given to the Minister under subsection (1), shall be returned or paid to the person from whom the thing was seized within 30 days after the seizure unless, before the expiry of those 30 days, proceedings are instituted in respect of an offence under this Act alleged to have been committed by the owner of the thing.

1999, c. 33, s. 222; 2009, c. 14, s. 56.

Previous Version

Arrest Without Warrant

Arrest without warrant

222.1 An enforcement officer may arrest without warrant a person or ship that the enforcement officer believes, on reasonable grounds, has committed an offence against this Act or the regulations, or that the enforcement officer finds committing or about to commit an offence against this Act or the regulations.

2005, c. 23, s. 33.

Detention

Seizure

223. (1) Whenever, during the course of an inspection or a search, an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that a provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened, the enforcement officer may seize and detain anything

  1. (a) by means of or in relation to which the enforcement officer reasonably believes the contravention occurred; or

  2. (b) that the enforcement officer reasonably believes will afford evidence of the contravention.

Limitation

(2) An enforcement officer shall not seize anything under subsection (1) unless the thing is required as evidence or for purposes of analysis or the enforcement officer is of the opinion that the seizure is necessary in the public interest.

Notice of contravention

(3) An enforcement officer who has seized and detained a thing under subsection (1) shall, as soon as is practicable, advise the person in whose possession it was at the time of the seizure of the provision of this Act or the regulations that the enforcement officer believes has been contravened.

Detention and release

(4) Anything seized under subsection (1) or section 220, other than a ship, aircraft, platform or other structure, shall not be detained

  1. (a) after the owner of the thing or the person in whose possession it was at the time of the seizure applies to the enforcement officer or to the Minister for its release and the enforcement officer or the Minister is satisfied that it is not necessary in the public interest to continue to detain the thing or that it is not required as evidence or for purposes of analysis; or

  2. (b) after the expiry of 90 days after the day of seizure, unless before that time

    1. the thing has been forfeited under section 229,

    2. proceedings have been instituted in respect of the contravention in relation to which the thing was seized, in which case it may be detained until the proceedings are finally concluded, or

    3. the Minister has served or made reasonable efforts to serve notice of an application for an order extending the time during which the thing may be detained in accordance with section 224.

Storage of seized thing

(5) A thing seized by an enforcement officer under subsection (1) or section 220, other than a ship, aircraft, platform or other structure, shall be kept or stored in the place where it was seized except if

  1. (a) in the opinion of the enforcement officer,

    1. it is not in the public interest to do so, or

    2. the thing seized, or a sample of it, is required as evidence and removal and storage of the thing seized is necessary to ensure that the thing or sample will be available as evidence in any related proceedings, or

  2. (b) the person in whose possession it was at the time of the seizure or the person entitled to possession of the place requests the enforcement officer to have it removed to some other place,

in which case it may be removed to and stored in any other place at the direction of or with the concurrence of an enforcement officer and at the expense of the person who requested that it be so removed.

Interference with seized thing

(6) Unless authorized by an enforcement officer, no person shall remove, alter or interfere in any way with anything seized and detained by an enforcement officer under subsection (1) or section 220, but an enforcement officer shall, at the request of the person from whom it was seized, allow that person or any person authorized by that person to examine it and, where practicable, furnish a sample or copy of it to that person.

Application to extend period of detention

224. (1) Where proceedings have not been instituted in respect of the contravention in relation to which a thing was seized under section 220 or subsection 223(1), the Minister may, before the expiry of 90 days after the day of the seizure and on serving prior notice in accordance with subsection (2) on the owner of the thing or on the person who at the time of the seizure was in possession of it, apply to a provincial court judge, as defined in section 2 of the Criminal Code, within whose territorial jurisdiction the seizure was made for an order extending the time during which it may be detained.

Notice

(2) A notice shall be served by personal service at least five clear days before the day on which the application is to be made to the provincial court judge or by registered mail at least seven clear days before that day and shall specify

  1. (a) the provincial court in which the application is to be made;

  2. (b) the place where and the time when the application is to be heard;

  3. (c) the thing seized in respect of which the application is to be made; and

  4. (d) the grounds on which the Minister intends to rely to show why there should be an extension of the time during which the thing seized may be detained.

Order of extension granted

(3) Where, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the judge is satisfied that the thing seized should continue to be detained, the judge shall order

  1. (a) that the thing be detained for any additional period and on any conditions relating to the detention for that additional period that the judge considers proper; and

  2. (b) on the expiry of the additional period, that the thing be restored to the person from whom it was seized or to any other person entitled to its possession unless, before the expiry of the additional period, an event referred to in subparagraph 223(4)(b)(i), (ii) or (iii) has occurred.

Order of extension refused

(4) Where, on the hearing of an application made under subsection (1), the judge is not satisfied that the thing seized should continue to be detained, the judge shall order that, on the expiry of 90 days after the day of the seizure, it be restored to the person from whom it was seized or to any other person entitled to its possession unless, before the expiry of the 90 days, an event referred to in subparagraph 223(4)(b)(i) or (ii) has occurred.

Detention of Ships

Detention of ships

225. (1) If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the owner or master of a ship has committed an offence under this Act and that a ship was used in connection with the commission of the offence, the enforcement officer may make a detention order in respect of the ship.

Order in writing

(2) A detention order made under subsection (1) shall be in writing and be addressed to all persons at any port in Canada where the ship to which the order relates is or will be who are empowered to give a clearance in respect of the ship.

Service of detention order

(3) A detention order made under subsection (1) in respect of a ship shall be served

  1. (a) by delivering the order to the master of the ship; or

  2. (b) if service cannot reasonably be effected in the manner provided for in paragraph (a), by leaving the order with the person being or appearing to be in command or charge of the ship or, if there is no such person, by placing the order on a conspicuous part of the ship.

Foreign state to be notified

(3.1) If a ship in respect of which a detention order is made under subsection (1) is registered in a foreign state, that state is to be notified that the order was made.

Duty of owner or master of ship

(4) Where notice of a detention order made under subsection (1) has been served on the master of the ship, the owner or master of the ship shall not give an order for the ship to go into an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(f) or (g) during the term of the detention order.

Duty of persons empowered to give clearance

(5) Subject to subsection (6), no person to whom a detention order made under subsection (1) is addressed shall, after notice of the order is received by the person, give clearance in respect of the ship to which the order relates.

When clearance given

(6) A person to whom a detention order made under subsection (1) is addressed and who has received notice of the order may give clearance in respect of the ship to which the order relates where

  1. (a) the owner or master of the ship

    1. has not, within 30 days after the order was made, been charged with the offence that gave rise to the making of the order, or

    2. has, within 30 days after the order was made, been charged with that offence and appears in Canada to answer to the charge;

  2. (b) if the alleged offence involves the contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division, Her Majesty in right of Canada is given security, in a form determined by the Attorney General of Canada, for payment of the maximum fine that might be imposed as a result of a conviction of the person or ship charged with that offence and of costs related to proceedings in connection with the charge or charges, or payment of any lesser amount that is approved by the Attorney General of Canada;

  3. (b.1) if the alleged offence involves the contravention of this Act or the regulations, other than a contravention referred to in paragraph (b), Her Majesty in right of Canada is given security for payment of the maximum fine that might be imposed as a result of a conviction of the person charged with that offence and of costs related to proceedings in connection with the charge, or payment of any lesser amount that is approved by the Minister or a person designated by the Minister for the purpose; or

  4. (c) proceedings in respect of the alleged offence that gave rise to the making of the detention order are discontinued.

1999, c. 33, s. 225; 2005, c. 23, s. 34; 2009, c. 14, s. 57.

Previous Version

Direction of Ships

Power to direct ship

225.1 (1) An enforcement officer may direct a ship that is in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (d) and (g) to proceed, by the route and in the manner that the enforcement officer may specify, to any place specified by the enforcement officer if the enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that

  1. (a) the ship is committing, has committed or is about to commit in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (d) an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division; or

  2. (b) a person on board the ship is committing, has committed or is about to commit such an offence in such an area and the ship was, is being or is about to be used in connection with the commission of the offence.

Power to direct ship

(2) If a ship is in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(f), an enforcement officer may, with the consent of the foreign state that has jurisdiction in that area, direct the ship to proceed, by the route and in the manner that the enforcement officer may specify, to any place specified by the enforcement officer if the enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that

  1. (a) the ship is committing, has committed or is about to commit in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (d) an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division; or

  2. (b) a person on board the ship is committing, has committed or is about to commit such an offence in such an area and the ship was, is being or is about to be used in connection with the commission of the offence.

2005, c. 23, s. 35.

Assistance to Enforcement Officers and Analysts

Right of passage

226. While carrying out powers, duties or functions under this Act, enforcement officers and analysts, and any persons accompanying them, may enter on and pass through or over private property without being liable for doing so and without any person having the right to object to that use of the property.

1999, c. 33, s. 226; 2009, c. 14, s. 58.

Previous Version

Assistance

227. The owner or the person in charge of a place entered by an enforcement officer or analyst under section 218 or 220, and every person found in the place, shall

  1. (a) give the enforcement officer or analyst all reasonable assistance to enable them to carry out duties and functions under this Act; and

  2. (b) provide the enforcement officer or analyst with any information with respect to the administration of this Act and the regulations that the enforcement officer or analyst may reasonably require.

Obstruction

228. While an enforcement officer or analyst is exercising powers or carrying out duties and functions under this Act, no person shall

  1. (a) knowingly make any false or misleading statement, either orally or in writing, to them; or

  2. (b) otherwise obstruct or hinder them.

Liability for Costs

Liability for costs

228.1 If a thing is seized under this Act, the person who owned the thing at the time it was seized, the person who had charge or control of the thing immediately before it was seized and the person who possessed it immediately before it was seized are jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for all the costs of seizure, detention, maintenance and forfeiture, including any destruction or disposal costs, incurred by Her Majesty in right of Canada in relation to the thing in excess of any proceeds of its disposition, if any.

2009, c. 14, s. 59.

Forfeiture

Forfeiture on consent

229. (1) Where an enforcement officer has seized a thing under section 220 or subsection 223(1) and the owner or person who was in lawful possession of it at the time of the seizure consents in writing at the request of the enforcement officer to its forfeiture, it is thereupon forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada.

Disposal or destruction

(2) The Minister may dispose of or destroy anything forfeited under subsection (1) and, if the Minister so directs, the costs of the disposal or destruction shall be paid by the owner or the person who was in lawful possession of it at the time it was seized.

Forfeiture by order of court

230. (1) Subject to sections 231 and 232, where a person is convicted of an offence under this Act and anything seized under section 220 or subsection 223(1) is then being detained,

  1. (a) the thing is, on the conviction and in addition to any punishment imposed for the offence, forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada, if the court so directs, in which case

    1. the Minister may dispose of or destroy the thing, and

    2. the costs of the forfeiture and disposal or destruction shall be paid by the offender; or

  2. (b) the thing shall, on the expiry of the time for taking an appeal from the conviction or on the final conclusion of the proceedings, as the case may be, be restored to the person from whom it was seized or to any other person entitled to its possession on any conditions that may be imposed by order of the court and that, in the opinion of the court, are necessary to avoid the commission of a further offence under this Act.

Things deemed not to have been seized

(2) For the purpose of subsection (1), anything released from detention under paragraph 223(4)(a) or (b) is deemed not to have been seized under section 220 or subsection 223(1).

Court may order forfeiture

231. If the owner of any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the convicting court may, if the ship, aircraft, platform or structure was seized under section 220 or subsection 223(1), in addition to any other penalty imposed, order that the ship, aircraft, platform or structure, or any security given under subsection 222(1), be forfeited, and on the making of such an order the ship, aircraft, platform, structure or security is forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada.

1999, c. 33, s. 231; 2009, c. 14, s. 60.

Previous Version

Disposal of forfeited ship, aircraft, etc.

232. (1) Where proceedings referred to in subsection 222(2) are instituted within the time provided in that subsection and, at the final conclusion of those proceedings, any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure or any security given under subsection 222(1) is ordered to be forfeited, it may be disposed of as the Governor in Council directs.

Return of seized ship, etc., where no forfeiture ordered

(2) Where anything has been seized under section 220 and proceedings referred to in subsection 222(2) are instituted, but the thing is not, at the final conclusion of the proceedings, ordered to be forfeited, it shall be returned, the proceeds of any sale of the cargo under subsection 221(3) shall be paid or any security given to the Minister under subsection 222(1) shall be returned to the person from whom the thing was seized.

Exception

(3) Where, at the conclusion of proceedings referred to in subsection (1), the person from whom the thing was seized is convicted of an offence arising out of a contravention of this Part, the thing and any cargo or the proceeds or security may be retained until the fine is paid or the thing and any cargo may be sold under execution in satisfaction of the fine, or the proceeds realized from the sale of the cargo or the security or any part thereof may be applied in payment of the fine.

Application by person claiming interest

233. (1) Where anything has been ordered to be forfeited under this Act, any person, other than a person who was a party to the proceedings that resulted in the order, who claims an interest in the thing as owner, mortgagee, lien holder or holder of any other claim under Canadian law may, within 30 days after the thing is ordered to be forfeited, apply by notice in writing to the Federal Court for an order under subsection (5).

Date of hearing

(2) The Federal Court shall fix a day for the hearing of an application made under subsection (1).

Notice

(3) An applicant for an order under subsection (5) shall, at least 30 days before the day fixed under subsection (2) for the hearing of the application, serve a notice of the application and of the hearing on the Minister and on all other persons claiming an interest in the thing that is the subject-matter of the application as owner, mortgagee, lien holder or holder of any other claim under Canadian law of whom the applicant has knowledge.

Notice of intervention

(4) Each person, other than the Minister, who is served with a notice under subsection (3) and who intends to appear at the hearing of the application to which the notice relates shall, at least 10 days before the day fixed for the hearing, file a notice of intervention in the Registry of the Federal Court and serve a copy of the notice on the Minister and on the applicant.

Order declaring nature and extent of interests

(5) Where, on the hearing of an application under this section, the Federal Court is satisfied that the applicant, or the intervenors, if any, or any of them,

  1. (a) is innocent of any complicity in any conduct that caused the thing to be subject to forfeiture and of any collusion in relation to any such conduct, and

  2. (b) exercised all reasonable care in respect of the persons permitted to obtain possession and use of the thing so as to be satisfied that it was not likely to be used contrary to the provisions of this Act or, in the case of a mortgagee or lien holder, other than the holder of a maritime lien or statutory right in rem, that the applicant or intervenor exercised such care with respect to the mortgagor or the lien giver,

those of the applicant and the intervenors in respect of whom the Court is so satisfied are entitled to an order declaring that their interests are not affected by the forfeiture and declaring the nature and extent of each of their interests and the priorities among them.

Additional order

(6) Where an order is made under subsection (5), the Court may, in addition, order that the thing to which the interests relate be delivered to one or more of the persons found to have an interest in it or that an amount equal to the value of each of the interests so declared be paid to the persons found to have those interests.

Environmental Protection Compliance Orders

Definition of “order”

234. For the purposes of sections 235 to 271, “order” means an environmental protection compliance order issued under section 235.

Order

235. (1) Whenever, during the course of an inspection or a search, an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened in the circumstances described in subsection (2) by a person who is continuing the commission of the offence, or that any of those provisions are likely to be contravened in the circumstances described in that subsection, the enforcement officer may issue an environmental protection compliance order directing any person described in subsection (3) to take any of the measures referred to in subsection (4) and, if applicable, subsection (5) that are reasonable in the circumstances and consistent with the protection of the environment and public safety, in order to cease or refrain from committing the alleged contravention.

Circumstances

(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), the circumstances in which the alleged contravention has been or will be committed are as follows, namely,

  1. (a) the exportation, importation, manufacture, transportation, processing or distribution of a substance or product containing a substance;

  2. (b) the possession, storage, use, sale, offering for sale, advertisement or disposal of a substance or product containing a substance;

  3. (c) the use of a substance or product containing a substance in a commercial manufacturing or processing activity; or

  4. (d) an act or omission in relation to or in the absence of a notice, permit, approval, licence, certificate, allowance or other authorization or a term or condition thereof.

Application

(3) Subsection (1) applies to any person who

  1. (a) owns or has the charge, management or control of the substance or any product containing the substance to which the alleged contravention relates or the property on which the substance or product is located;

  2. (b) causes or contributes to the alleged contravention; or

  3. (c) any person who is likely to cause or contribute to the alleged contravention.

Specific measures

(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), an order in relation to an alleged contravention of any provision of this Act or the regulations may specify that the person to whom the order is directed take one or more of the following measures:

  1. (a) refrain from doing anything in contravention of this Act or the regulations, or do anything to comply with this Act or the regulations;

  2. (b) stop or shut down any activity, work, undertaking or thing for a specified period;

  3. (c) cease the operation of any activity or any part of a work, undertaking or thing until the enforcement officer is satisfied that the activity, work, undertaking or thing will be operated in accordance with this Act and the regulations;

  4. (d) move any conveyance to another location including, in the case of a ship, move the ship into port or, in the case of an aircraft, land the aircraft;

  5. (e) unload or re-load the contents of any conveyance; and

  6. (f) take any other measure that the enforcement officer considers necessary to facilitate compliance with the order - or to restore the components of the environment damaged by the alleged contravention or to protect the components of the environment put at risk by the alleged contravention - including

    1. maintaining records on any relevant matter,

    2. reporting periodically to the enforcement officer, and

    3. submitting to the enforcement officer any information, proposal or plan specified by the enforcement officer setting out any action to be taken by the person with respect to the subject-matter of the order.

Additional measures for certain alleged offences

(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), an order in relation to an alleged contravention of section 124 or 125 or any regulations made under section 135 may specify that the person to whom the order is directed, whether that person is not a permit holder or is contravening a condition of a permit, take any of the following measures, in addition to any of the measures referred to in subsection (4):

  1. (a) cease dumping or cease loading a substance; or

  2. (b) refrain from disposing of any ship, aircraft, platform or structure.

Contents of order

(6) Subject to section 236, an order must be made in writing and must set out

  1. (a) the names of the persons to whom the order is directed;

  2. (b) the provision of this Act or the regulations that is alleged to have been or that is likely to be contravened;

  3. (c) the relevant facts surrounding the alleged contravention;

  4. (d) the measures to be taken;

  5. (e) the time or the day when each measure is to begin or the period during which it is to be carried out;

  6. (f) subject to subsection (7), the duration of the order;

  7. (g) a statement that a request for a review may be made to the Chief Review Officer; and

  8. (h) the period within which a request for a review may be made.

Duration of order

(7) An order may not be in force for a period of more than 180 days.

Failing to file report

(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person who commits an offence by failing to file a report required by this Act or the regulations is deemed to be continuing the commission of the offence each day that the report is not filed.

Statutory Instruments Act

(9) An order is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act.

1999, c. 33, s. 235; 2009, c. 14, s. 61.

Previous Version

Exigent circumstances

236. (1) In the case of exigent circumstances, an order may be given orally on the condition that it is followed, within seven days, by a written order issued in accordance with section 235.

Definition of “exigent circumstances”

(2) For greater certainty, “exigent circumstances”includes circumstances in which the delay necessary to issue a written order that meets the requirements of subsection 235(6) would result in danger to human life or the environment.

1999, c. 33, s. 236; 2009, c. 14, s. 62(E).

Previous Version

Notice of intent

237. (1) Except in exigent circumstances, the enforcement officer shall, wherever practicable, before issuing an order,

  1. (a) provide an oral or a written notice of the intent of the enforcement officer to issue the order to every person who will be subject to the order; and

  2. (b) allow a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for every such person to make oral representations.

Contents of notice of intent

(2) A notice of intent to issue an order shall include

  1. (a) a statement of the purpose of the notice;

  2. (b) a reference to the statutory authority under which the order will be issued; and

  3. (c) a statement that the party notified may make oral representations to the enforcement officer within the period stated in the notice.

1999, c. 33, s. 237; 2009, c. 14, s. 63(E).

Previous Version

Compliance with the order

238. (1) A person to whom an order is directed shall, immediately on receipt of the order or a copy of it or on being directed by an enforcement officer under an order given orally under section 236, comply with the order.

No bar to proceedings

(2) The issuance of or compliance with an order in respect of a person’s alleged contravention of this Act or the regulations is not a bar to any proceedings against the person under this or any other Act in relation to the alleged contravention.

1999, c. 33, s. 238; 2009, c. 14, s. 64.

Previous Version

Intervention by enforcement officer

239. (1) If any person to whom an order is directed fails to take any measures specified in the order, an enforcement officer may take the measures or cause them to be taken.

Access to property

(2) An enforcement officer or other person authorized or required to take measures under subsection (1) may enter and have access to any place or property and may do any reasonable things that may be necessary in the circumstances.

Personal liability

(3) Any person, other than a person described in subsection 235(3), who provides assistance or advice in taking the measures specified in an order or who takes any measures authorized or required by an enforcement officer under subsection (1) is not personally liable either civilly or criminally in respect of any act or omission in the course of providing assistance or advice or taking any measures under that subsection unless it is established that the person acted in bad faith.

1999, c. 33, s. 239; 2009, c. 14, s. 65.

Previous Version

Recovery of reasonable costs and expenses by Her Majesty

240. (1) Her Majesty in right of Canada may recover the costs and expenses of and incidental to taking any measures under subsection 239(1) from

  1. (a) any person referred to in paragraph 235(3)(a); and

  2. (b) any person referred to in paragraph 235(3)(b) to the extent of the person’s negligence in causing or contributing to the alleged contravention.

Reasonably incurred

(2) The costs and expenses referred to in subsection (1) shall only be recovered to the extent that they can be established to have been reasonably incurred in the circumstances.

Liability

(3) The persons referred to in subsection (1) are jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for the costs and expenses referred to in that subsection.

Limitation

(4) A person referred to in paragraph 235(3)(b) shall not be held liable under subsection (3) to an extent greater than the extent of their negligence in causing or contributing to the alleged contravention.

Procedure

(5) A claim under this section may be sued for and recovered by Her Majesty in right of Canada with costs in proceedings brought or taken therefor in the name of Her Majesty in right of Canada in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Recourse or indemnity

(6) This section does not limit or restrict any right of recourse or indemnity that a person may have against any other person.

Limitation period

(7) Where events giving rise to a claim under this section occur, no proceedings in respect of the claim may be instituted after five years from the date on which the events occur or become evident to the Minister, whichever is later.

Minister’s certificate

(8) A document purporting to have been issued by the Minister certifying the day on which the events giving rise to a claim under this section came to the knowledge of the Minister shall be received in evidence and, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the document shall be considered as proof of that fact without proof of the signature or of the official character of the person appearing to have signed the document and without further proof.

1999, c. 33, s. 240; 2009, c. 14, s. 66.

Previous Version

Variation or cancellation of order

241. (1) At any time before a notice requesting a review of an order is received by the Chief Review Officer, the enforcement officer may, after giving reasonable notice,

  1. (a) amend or suspend a term or condition of the order, or add a term or condition to, or delete a term or condition from, the order;

  2. (b) cancel the order;

  3. (c) correct a clerical error in the order; or

  4. (d) extend the duration of the order for a period of not more than 180 days less the number of days that have passed since the day on which the order was received by the person who is subject to the order.

Notice of intent

(2) Except in exigent circumstances, the enforcement officer shall, wherever practicable, before exercising a power under paragraph (1)(a) or (d),

  1. (a) provide an oral or a written notice of the intent of the enforcement officer to do so to every person who will be subject to the order; and

  2. (b) allow a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for the person to make oral representations.

Contents of notice of intent

(3) A notice of intent to exercise a power under paragraph (1)(a) shall include

  1. (a) a statement of the purpose of the notice;

  2. (b) a reference to the statutory authority under which the power will be exercised; and

  3. (c) a statement that the party notified may make oral representations to the enforcement officer within the period stated in the notice.

Limitations on exercise of enforcement officer’s powers

(4) An enforcement officer shall not exercise any of the powers referred to in paragraph (1)(a), (b) or (d) if doing so would result in

  1. (a) impairment or serious risk of impairment of the quality of the environment for any use that can be made of it;

  2. (b) injury or damage or serious risk of injury or damage to any property or to any plant or animal life; or

  3. (c) danger to the health or safety of any person.

1999, c. 33, s. 241; 2009, c. 14, s. 67.

Previous Version

Regulations

242. The Minister may make regulations

  1. (a) prescribing the form of reporting to enforcement officers under subparagraph 235(4)(f)(ii) and specifying the information required to be contained in or to accompany the report; and

  2. (b) of either particular or general application, respecting representations made to enforcement officers under subsection 237(1) or 241(2).

Review Officers

Roster of review officers

243. The Minister shall establish and maintain a roster of review officers.

Chief Review Officer

244. (1) The Minister shall appoint one of the review officers as the Chief Review Officer to perform the functions of the Chief Review Officer as and when required.

Functions of Chief Review Officer

(2) The Chief Review Officer shall

  1. (a) perform administrative functions related to the work of review officers, including assigning review officers to conduct review hearings; and

  2. (b) in certain cases, conduct review hearings.

Absence, etc., of Chief Review Officer

(3) If the Chief Review Officer is absent or unable to act or if the office is vacant, any other review officer that is designated by the Minister shall perform the functions of the Chief Review Officer.

Term of members

245. (1) Review officers shall be appointed to hold office during good behaviour for a term of not more than three years, but may be removed by the Minister at any time for cause.

Re-appointment

(2) A review officer may be re-appointed.

Publication in Canada Gazette

246. The Minister shall publish the roster of review officers in the Canada Gazette.

Knowledge

247. A person is not eligible to be appointed as a review officer unless the person is knowledgeable about the conservation and protection of the Canadian environment, environmental and human health, administrative law as it relates to environmental regulation or traditional aboriginal ecological knowledge.

1999, c. 33, s. 247; 2009, c. 14, s. 68.

Previous Version

Other employment

248. Review officers shall not accept or hold any office or employment inconsistent with their functions under this Act.

Remuneration and fees

249. (1) The Chief Review Officer shall be paid such remuneration as is fixed by the Governor in Council, and each other review officer is entitled to be paid such fees for that other review officer’s services as are fixed by the Governor in Council.

Expenses

(2) Review officers are entitled to be paid

  1. (a) reasonable travel and other expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties under this Act while absent from their ordinary place of work; and

  2. (b) any other reasonable expenses incurred by them in the course of their duties under this Act.

Acting after expiry of term

250. If a person who is engaged as a review officer in respect of any matter ceases to be a review officer before rendering a decision in respect of the matter, the person may, with the authorization of the Chief Review Officer, continue, during a period of not more than 180 days, to act as a review officer in respect of the matter.

Secretary and other staff

251. The Minister may, at the request of the Chief Review Officer, make available to review officers any staff and other assistance that are necessary for the proper conduct of the business of review officers.

Government services and facilities

252. In performing their functions a review officer shall, where appropriate, make use of the services and facilities of departments, boards and agencies of the Government of Canada.

Immunity

253. No criminal or civil proceedings lie against a review officer for anything done or omitted to be done in good faith in performing any functions of a review officer under this Act.

Crown not relieved

254. Section 253 does not, by reason of section 10 of the Crown Liability and Proceedings Act, relieve the Crown of liability in respect of a tort or extracontractual civil liability to which the Crown would otherwise be subject.

Liability

255. Review officers are servants of Her Majesty in right of Canada for the purposes of the law of tort or of extracontractual civil liability.

Reviews

Request for review

256. (1) Any person to whom an order is directed may, by notice in writing given to the Chief Review Officer within 30 days after receipt by the person of a copy of the written order or after the oral order is given, make a request to the Chief Review Officer for a review of the order.

Extension of period for request

(2) The Chief Review Officer may extend the period within which a request for a review may be made where, in the Chief Review Officer’s opinion, it is in the public interest to do so.

Review

257. On receipt of a request made under subsection 256(1), the Chief Review Officer shall conduct a review of the order, including a hearing, or cause a review and hearing of the order to be conducted by a review officer, or by a panel of three review officers, assigned by the Chief Review Officer. The Chief Review Officer may be a member of that panel.

1999, c. 33, s. 257; 2009, c. 14, s. 69.

Previous Version

No automatic stay on appeal

258. (1) Subject to subsection (2), the request for a review by a review officer does not suspend the operation of an order.

Suspension on application

(2) A review officer may, on application made by a person subject to the order before the beginning of the hearing, suspend the operation of the order if the review officer considers it appropriate in the circumstances and, in that case, impose on all the persons subject to the order conditions that are reasonable in the circumstances and consistent with the protection of the environment and public safety.

Suspension of 180 day period

(3) Where the operation of an order is suspended under subsection (2), the period for which the order is issued is suspended until the review is completed.

Right to appear

259. All parties to the review, including the Minister, may appear in person or may be represented by counsel or by an agent.

Powers

260. (1) A review officer may summon any person to appear as a witness before the review officer and may order the witness to

  1. (a) give evidence orally or in writing; and

  2. (b) produce any documents and things that the review officer considers necessary or desirable for the purpose of performing any of the review officer’s functions.

Fees for witnesses

(2) A witness who is served with a summons under subsection (1) is entitled to receive the fees and allowances to which persons who are summoned to appear as witnesses before the Federal Court are entitled.

Enforcement of summonses and orders

261. Any summons to a witness issued or order made under subsection 260(1) by a review officer may be made a summons to a witness or an order of the Federal Court or of the superior court of a province and is enforceable in the same manner as a summons to a witness or an order of that court.

Procedure

262. To make a summons issued or an order made under subsection 260(1) by a review officer a summons or an order of the Federal Court or of the superior court of a province, the usual practice and procedure of the court in such matters may be followed, or a certified copy of the summons or order may be filed with the registrar of the court and the summons or order thereupon becomes a summons or an order of the court.

Powers of review officer

263. The review officer, after reviewing the order and after giving all persons who are subject to the order, and the Minister, reasonable notice orally or in writing of a hearing and allowing a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for those persons and the Minister to make oral representations, may

  1. (a) confirm or cancel the order;

  2. (b) amend or suspend a term or condition of the order, or add a term or condition to, or delete a term or condition from, the order; or

  3. (c) extend the duration of the order for a period of not more than 180 days less the number of days that have passed since the day on which the order was received by the person who is subject to the order, not counting the days during which the order was suspended under subsection 258(3).

Variation or cancellation of review officer’s decision

264. At any time before a notice of appeal to the Federal Court is filed in relation to an order, the review officer may, on the review officer’s own motion, after giving reasonable notice orally or in writing and allowing a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for the person subject to the order to make oral representations, modify the decision of the review officer in respect of the order and exercise any of the powers of the review officer under section 263 in respect of the order.

Limitations on exercise of review officer’s powers

265. A review officer shall not exercise any of the powers referred to in section 263 if doing so would result in

  1. (a) impairment or serious risk of impairment of the quality of the environment for any use that can be made of it;

  2. (b) injury or damage or serious risk of injury or damage to any property or to any plant or animal life; or

  3. (c) danger to the health or safety of any person.

Decision

266. The review officer or the panel, as the case may be, shall, within 15 days after the completion of the review of an order, render a decision, with written reasons, and provide all persons to whom the order was directed and the Minister with a copy of the decision and the reasons.

1999, c. 33, s. 266; 2009, c. 14, s. 70.

Previous Version

Rules

267. (1) The Chief Review Officer may make rules

  1. (a) governing the practice and procedure in respect of the review of orders;

  2. (b) generally, for the work of review officers; and

  3. (c) for preventing trade secrets and information described in section 20 of the Access to Information Act from being disclosed or made public as a result of their being used as evidence before a review officer, including rules providing for hearings or parts of hearings to be held in public or private.

Rules for other Acts

(2) The Chief Review Officer may make rules under subsection (1) with respect to the review of orders made under any Act of Parliament that provides for the review of those orders in accordance with sections 257 to 271 of this Act.

1999, c. 33, s. 267; 2009, c. 14, s. 71.

Previous Version

Orders and notices

268. Every order or varied order under section 263 or 264 or a copy of one and every notice under those sections shall be provided to the Minister and every person to whom the original order is directed and, where applicable, all other persons to whom the amended order is directed, in accordance with Part 11.

Federal Court

Appeal to Federal Court

269. The Minister or any person to whom an order, as confirmed or varied by a review officer under section 263, is directed may, by filing a written notice of appeal within 30 days after the written reasons are provided by the review officer under section 266, appeal to the Federal Court - Trial Division from the decision of the review officer.

Standing on appeal to Federal Court

270. The Minister or the person to whom the order is directed, as the case may be, has the right, on an appeal to the Federal Court made under section 269, to be heard on all questions of fact and law.

Order not suspended

271. The filing of a notice of appeal under section 269 does not suspend the operation of an order, as confirmed or varied by a review officer.

Acts Committed Outside Canada

Offences under this Act deemed committed in Canada

271.1 (1) An act or omission that is an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division is deemed to have been committed in Canada if it is committed

  1. (a) in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c); or

  2. (b) in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(g) in the course of hot pursuit that commenced while a ship was in an area of the sea referred to in any paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e).

Offences under the Criminal Code deemed committed in Canada

(2) An act or omission that is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act and that would be an offence under the Criminal Code if it were committed in Canada, is deemed to have been committed in Canada if it is committed

  1. (a) in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c); or

  2. (b) in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(g) in the course of hot pursuit that commenced while a ship was in an area of the sea referred to in any paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e).

2005, c. 23, s. 36.

Offences and Punishment

Offence - persons

272. (1) Every person commits an offence who

  1. (a) contravenes subsection 16(3) or (4), any of subsections 81(1), (2), (3), (4), (10), (11) and (14), 84(2) and 96(3) and (4), section 101, any of subsections 106(1), (2), (3), (4), (10) and (11) and 109(2), section 117 or 123, any of subsections 124(1), (2) and (3), 125(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), 126(1) and (2) and 139(1), section 142 or 144, subsection 150(3) or (4), section 152, subsection 153(1), section 154, subsection 155(5), section 171 or 181 or subsection 185(1), 186(2), 189(1), 202(3) or (4) or 213(3) or (4), paragraph 228(a) or subsection 238(1);

  2. (b) fails to comply with an obligation set out in section 70, 86, 95 or 111, subsection 169(1), 172(1), 179(1), 182(1), 201(1) or 212(1);

  3. (c) contravenes a prohibition imposed under subsection 82(1) or (2), paragraph 84(1)(b), subsection 107(1) or (2), paragraph 109(1)(b) or subsection 186(1) or 225(4);

  4. (d) contravenes a condition of a permission granted under paragraph 84(1)(a) or 109(1)(a);

  5. (e) contravenes an interim order made under subsection 94(1), 173(1), 183(1) or 200.1(1);

  6. (f) fails to comply with a direction given under section 99, 119 or 148;

  7. (g) knowingly contravenes paragraph 228(b);

  8. (h) contravenes any provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under section 286.1 for the purpose of this paragraph;

  9. (i) contravenes an agreement as defined in section 295;

  10. (j) contravenes an order, direction or decision of a court made under this Act;

  11. (k) knowingly, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, provides any person with any false or misleading information, results or samples; or

  12. (l) knowingly, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, files a document that contains false or misleading information.

Penalty - individuals

(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $15,000 and not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $2,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $300,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $600,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.

Penalty - other persons

(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500,000 and not more than $6,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $12,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $200,000 and not more than $8,000,000.

Penalty - small revenue corporations

(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 272.3 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $75,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $150,000 and not more than $8,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $2,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $4,000,000.

1999, c. 33, s. 272; 2005, c. 23, s. 37; 2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Previous Version

Offence - persons

272.1 (1) Every person commits an offence who

  1. (a) contravenes any provision of this Act, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);

  2. (b) fails to comply with an obligation arising from this Act, a requirement imposed under this Act or a request made under this Act, other than an obligation, a requirement or a request the failure to comply with is an offence under 272(1);

  3. (c) contravenes a prohibition arising from this Act, other than a prohibition the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);

  4. (d) contravenes a condition of any permission granted under this Act, other than a condition of a permission the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);

  5. (e) fails to comply with a direction given under this Act, other than a direction the failure to comply with is an offence under 272(1);

  6. (f) contravenes any provision of the regulations, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1) or 272.2(1);

  7. (g) negligently, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, provides any person with any false or misleading information, results or samples; or

  8. (h) negligently, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, files a document that contains false or misleading information.

Penalty - individuals

(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $200,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000.

Penalty - other persons

(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000.

Penalty - small revenue corporations

(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 272.3 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Offence - failure to comply with designated regulations

272.2 (1) Every person who fails to comply with a provision of a regulation designated under section 286.1 for the purpose of this subsection commits an offence and is liable

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. in the case of an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both, and

    2. in the case of a person, other than an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. in the case of an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and

    2. in the case of a person, other than an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations.

Regulations

(2) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the method of calculating the fine in respect of the offence referred to in subsection (1) committed by individuals, other persons and corporations determined under section 272.3 to be small revenue corporations, which method may be based on a monetary range specified in the regulations.

Tradeable units

(3) If a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) by reason of having failed to comply with a provision that requires the remission or the cancellation of tradeable units described in regulations made under section 326, the court shall, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed under subsection (1), make an order requiring the person to remit or cancel tradeable units of the type and number determined in accordance with regulations made under subsection (4) or, if there are no regulations made under that subsection, in accordance with subsection (5). In the case of an order to remit, the court shall specify in the order the name of the person or entity to whom the tradeable units are to be remitted.

Regulations

(4) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the types of tradeable units described in regulations made under section 326 that a person may be required to remit or cancel in an order made under subsection (3) and the manner of determining the number of those tradeable units that the person may be required to remit or cancel.

Absence of regulations

(5) If there are no regulations made under subsection (4), the court shall require the person to remit or cancel tradeable units of a type and in the number that, in the court’s opinion, the person failed to remit or cancel.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Determination of small revenue corporation status

272.3 For the purpose of sections 272, 272.1 and 272.2, a court may determine a corporation to be a small revenue corporation if the court is satisfied that the corporation’s gross revenues for the 12 months immediately before the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose - or, if it arose on more than one day, for the 12 months immediately before the first day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose - were not more than $5,000,000.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Offence - ships

272.4 (1) Every ship commits an offence if it contravenes

  1. (a) section 123, subsection 124(1.1), 125(1), (2.1) or (3.1) or 126(1.1) or (3);

  2. (b) any provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under section 286.1; or

  3. (c) any order or a direction made under this Act, including one made by a court.

Penalty - ships of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over

(2) Every ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500,000 and not more than $6,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $12,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $200,000 and not more than $8,000,000.

Penalty - other ships

(3) Every other ship that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $75,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $150,000 and not more than $8,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $2,000,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $4,000,000.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Offences - ships

272.5 (1) Every ship commits an offence if it contravenes

  1. (a) any provision of this Act that expressly applies to ships, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272.4(1); or

  2. (b) any provision of the regulations other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272.4(1).

Penalty - ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over

(2) Every ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000.

Penalty - other ships

(3) Every other ship that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,

  1. (a) on conviction on indictment,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or

  2. (b) on summary conviction,

    1. for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and

    2. for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Relief from minimum fine

273. The court may impose a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in subsection 272(2), (3) or (4) or 272.4(2) or (3) if it is satisfied, on the basis of evidence submitted to the court, that the minimum fine would cause undue financial hardship. The court shall provide reasons if it imposes a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in any of those subsections.

1999, c. 33, s. 273; 2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Previous Version

Deeming - second and subsequent offence

273.1 (1) For the purposes of subsections 272(2) to (4), 272.1(2) to (4), 272.4(2) and (3) and 272.5(2) and (3), a conviction for a particular offence under this Act is deemed to be a conviction for a second or subsequent offence if the court is satisfied that the offender has been previously convicted - under any Act of Parliament, or any Act of the legislature of a province, that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection - of a substantially similar offence.

Application

(2) Subsection (1) applies only to previous convictions on indictment and to previous convictions on summary conviction, and to previous convictions under any similar procedure under any Act of the legislature of a province.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Damage to environment and risk of death or harm to persons

274. (1) Every person is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both, who, in committing an offence under this Act,

  1. (a) intentionally or recklessly causes a disaster that results in a loss of the use or the non-use value of the environment; or

  2. (b) shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes a risk of death or harm to another person.

Criminal negligence

(2) Every person who, in committing an offence under this Act, shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes death or bodily harm to another person is subject to prosecution and punishment under section 220 or 221 of the Criminal Code.

1999, c. 33, s. 274; 2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Previous Version

Additional fine

274.1 If a person or ship is convicted of an offence and the court is satisfied that, as a result of the commission of the offence, the person - or, if the offender is a ship, the owner or operator of the ship - acquired any property, benefit or advantage, the court shall order the offender to pay an additional fine in an amount equal to the court’s estimation of the value of that property, benefit or advantage. The additional fine may exceed the maximum amount of any fine that may otherwise be imposed under this Act.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Notice to shareholders

274.2 If a corporation that has shareholders is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court shall make an order directing the corporation to notify its shareholders, in the manner and within the time directed by the court, of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed.

2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Limitation period

275. No proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under this Act may be instituted more than five years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose, unless the prosecutor and the defendant agree that they may be instituted after the five years.

1999, c. 33, s. 275; 2009, c. 14, s. 72.

Previous Version

When consent of Attorney General of Canada required

275.1 A proceeding that is commenced in respect of an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division, or in respect of an offence under the Criminal Code that is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act, shall not be continued if the offence was committed in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c) and the accused is either a ship that is not a Canadian ship or a foreign national who was on board such a ship when the offence was committed, unless the Attorney General of Canada consents to the continuation no later than eight days after the proceeding is commenced.

2005, c. 23, s. 38.

Continuing offence

276. Where an offence under this Act is committed or continued on more than one day, the person who committed the offence is liable to be convicted for a separate offence for each day on which it is committed or continued.

277. [Repealed, 2001, c. 26, s. 283]

Previous Version

Regulations

278. The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the manner in which the proceeds or any part of the proceeds resulting from the payment of a fine or the execution of an order in relation to an offence under this Act shall be distributed in order to reimburse any person, government or body that has commenced the proceedings in respect of the offence for costs incurred by that person, government or body in respect of the prosecution of the offence.

Jurisdiction of justices and judges

278.1 A justice or judge in any territorial division in Canada has jurisdiction to authorize, in the same manner as if the offence had been committed in the territorial division, an arrest, an entry, a search or a seizure in relation to

  1. (a) an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division that is committed in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(c), (f) and (g); or

  2. (b) an offence under the Criminal Code that is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c) or in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(g) in the course of hot pursuit that commenced while a ship was in an area of the sea referred to in any paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e).

2005, c. 23, s. 39.

Jurisdiction of court

279. (1) If an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division is committed in an area of the sea referred to in any of paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e), or if an offence under the Criminal Code is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(c), the offence

  1. (a) is within the competence of and shall be tried by the court having jurisdiction in respect of similar offences in the territorial division nearest to the place where the offence was committed; and

  2. (b) shall be tried in the same manner as if it had been committed within that territorial division.

Where offence deemed to have been committed

(2) An offence to which subsection (1) applies is, for the purpose of that subsection, deemed to have been committed either in the place where the offence was actually committed or in the place in which the accused is found.

Jurisdiction of court

(3) If an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 or of any regulation made under that Division is committed in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(f) or (g), or if an offence under the Criminal Code is committed in the course of enforcement of this Act in an area of the sea referred to in paragraph 122(2)(g) in the course of hot pursuit that commenced while a ship was in an area of the sea referred to in any paragraphs 122(2)(a) to (e), the offence

  1. (a) is within the competence of and shall be tried by any court having jurisdiction in respect of similar offences committed by persons within the limits of its ordinary jurisdiction; and

  2. (b) shall be tried in the same manner as if it had been committed within the jurisdiction of the court before which it is tried.

1999, c. 33, s. 279; 2005, c. 23, s. 40.

Previous Version

Liability of directors, officer, etc., of corporation

280. (1) If a corporation commits an offence under this Act, any director, officer, agent or mandatary of the corporation who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable on conviction to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual in respect of the offence committed by the corporation, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.

Liability of masters and chief engineers

(2) If a ship commits an offence under this Act and the master or chief engineer of the ship directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence, the master or chief engineer, as the case may be, is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable on conviction to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272.1(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.

1999, c. 33, s. 280; 2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 73.

Previous Version

Duties of directors and officers

280.1 (1) Every director and officer of a corporation shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the corporation complies with

  1. (a) this Act and the regulations, other than Division 3 of Part 7 and regulations made under that Division; and

  2. (b) orders and directions of, and prohibitions and requirements imposed by, the Minister, enforcement officers and review officers, other than those issued or imposed in connection with obligations or prohibitions under that Division or regulations made under that Division.

Duties of directors and officers - Division 3 of Part 7

(2) Every director and officer of a corporation who is in a position to direct or influence the corporation’s policies or activities in respect of its obligation to comply with Division 3 of Part 7, regulations made under that Division, and orders and directions of, and prohibitions and requirements imposed by, the Minister, enforcement officers and review officers in connection with obligations or prohibitions under that Division or those regulations, shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the corporation so complies.

Liability of directors and officers - Division 3 of Part 7

(3) If a corporation commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, every director and officer of the corporation who directed or influenced the corporation’s policies or activities in respect of conduct that is the subject matter of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable to the penalty provided by this Act for an individual in respect of the offence committed by the corporation, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.

2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 74.

Previous Version

Duties of masters and chief engineers

280.2 (1) The master and the chief engineer of a ship shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the ship complies with

  1. (a) Division 3 of Part 7 and regulations made under that Division; and

  2. (b) orders and directions of, and prohibitions and requirements imposed by, the Minister, enforcement officers and review officers in connection with obligations or prohibitions under that Division or those regulations.

Liability of master and chief engineer

(2) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, the master and the chief engineer of the ship are a party to and guilty of the offence, and are liable to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.

2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 75.

Previous Version

Duties of ship owners

280.3 (1) Every owner of a ship - and, if the owner is a corporation, every director and officer of the corporation who is in a position to direct or influence its policies or activities relating to conduct prohibited by Division 3 of Part 7 - shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the ship complies, and all persons on board the ship comply, with

  1. (a) Division 3 of Part 7 and regulations made under that Division; and

  2. (b) orders and directions of, and prohibitions and requirements imposed by, the Minister, enforcement officers and review officers in connection with obligations or prohibitions under that Division or those regulations.

Liability of ship’s owner - individual

(2) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division and the owner of the ship, other than an owner that is a corporation, directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence, the owner is a party to and guilty of the offence and is liable to the penalty provided by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.

Liability of directors and officers of corporate ship owners

(3) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, every director or officer of a corporation that is an owner of the ship who directed or influenced the corporation’s policies or activities in respect of conduct that is the subject matter of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable to penalty provided by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.

2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 76.

Previous Version

For greater certainty

280.4 For greater certainty, section 283 applies to a person who is a party to an offence by reason of subsection 280.1(3), 280.2(2) or 280.3(2) or (3).

2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 76.

Previous Version

Direction binds ship

280.5 For the purpose of prosecuting a ship for contravening a direction made under section 225.1, any direction made under that section that is given to the master or a crew member of the ship binds the ship as though it had been given to the ship.

2005, c. 23, s. 41; 2009, c. 14, s. 76.

Previous Version

Identifying owner, master, etc.

281. The owner or master of a ship, the owner or pilot in command of an aircraft or the owner or person in charge of any platform or other structure may be charged with an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7 as owner, master, pilot in command or person in charge, as the case may be, of the ship, aircraft, platform or structure if it is adequately identified, and no such charge is invalid by reason only that it does not name the owner, master, pilot in command or person in charge, as the case may be, of the ship, aircraft, platform or structure.

Proceedings against ships

281.1 (1) Subject to subsection (2), the provisions of this Act or the Criminal Code relating to indictable or summary conviction offences that apply to persons apply also to ships, with any modifications that the circumstances require.

Service on ship

(2) If a ship is charged with having committed an offence under this Act, the summons may be served by leaving it with the owner, master or any officer of the ship or by posting the summons on some conspicuous part of the ship.

Appearance at trial

(3) If a ship is charged with having committed an offence under this Act, the ship may appear by counsel or representative. Despite the Criminal Code, if the ship does not so appear, a court may, on proof of service of the summons, proceed to hold the trial.

2005, c. 23, s. 42; 2009, c. 14, s. 77.

Previous Version

Proof of offence

282. (1) In any prosecution of an offence under this Act, other than an offence under paragraph 272(1)(k) or (l) or an offence of contravening section 228 or an offence under 274, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by an employee, agent or mandatary of the accused, whether or not the employee, agent or mandatary is identified or prosecuted for the offence.

Proof of offence

(2) In any prosecution of the master of a ship, the pilot in command of an aircraft or the owner or person in charge of any platform or other structure for an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by a crew member or other person on board the ship, aircraft, platform or structure, whether or not the crew member or other person is identified or prosecuted for the offence.

1999, c. 33, s. 282; 2009, c. 14, s. 78.

Previous Version

Defence

283. No person shall be found guilty of an offence under this Act, other than an offence of contravening paragraph 228(a) or knowingly contravening paragraph 228(b), an offence under paragraph 272(1)(k) or (l) or an offence under section 274, if the person establishes that the person exercised all due diligence to prevent its commission.

1999, c. 33, s. 283; 2009, c. 14, s. 79.

Previous Version

Importing substances by analysts

284. Despite any other provision of this Act or the regulations, the Minister may, subject to any reasonable condition specified by the Minister, authorize in writing an analyst to import, possess and use a substance for the purpose of conducting measurements, tests and research with respect to the substance.

Certificate of analyst

285. (1) Subject to subsections (2) and (3), a certificate of an analyst stating that the analyst has analysed or examined a substance or product and stating the result of the analysis or examination is admissible in evidence in any prosecution for an offence under this Act and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of the statements contained in the certificate without proof of the signature or the official character of the person appearing to have signed the certificate.

Attendance of analyst

(2) The party against whom a certificate of an analyst is produced may, with leave of the court, require the attendance of the analyst for the purposes of cross-examination.

Notice

(3) No certificate of an analyst shall be received in evidence unless the party intending to produce it has given to the party against whom it is intended to be produced reasonable notice of that intention together with a copy of the certificate.

Safety marks and prescribed documents

286. In any prosecution for an offence under this Act, evidence that a means of containment or transport bore a safety mark or was accompanied by a prescribed document is, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, proof of the information shown or indicated by the safety mark or contained in the prescribed document.

Regulations

286.1 The Governor in Council may, by regulation, designate provisions of regulations made under this Act for the purposes of paragraph 272(1)(h) and subsection 272.2(1) and paragraph 272.4(1)(b).

2009, c. 14, s. 80.

Sentencing

Fundamental purpose of sentencing

287. The fundamental purpose of sentencing for offences under this Act is to contribute, in light of the significant and many threats to the environment and to human health and to the importance of a healthy environment to the well-being of Canadians, to respect for the law protecting the environment and human health through the imposition of just sanctions that have as their objectives

  1. (a) to deter the offender and any other person from committing offences under this Act;

  2. (b) to denounce unlawful conduct that damages or creates a risk of damage to the environment or harms or creates a risk of harm to human health; and

  3. (c) to reinforce the “polluter pays” principle by ensuring that offenders are held responsible for effective clean-up and environmental restoration.

1999, c. 33, s. 287; 2009, c. 14, s. 81.

Previous Version

Sentencing principles

287.1 (1) In addition to the principles and factors that the court is otherwise required to consider, including those set out in sections 718.1 to 718.21 of the Criminal Code, the court shall consider the following principles when sentencing a person who is convicted of an offence under this Act:

  1. (a) the amount of the fine should be increased to account for every aggravating factor associated with the offence, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2); and

  2. (b) the amount of the fine should reflect the gravity of each aggravating factor associated with the offence.

Aggravating factors

(2) The aggravating factors are the following:

  1. (a) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to the environment or environmental quality;

  2. (b) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to any unique, rare, particularly important or vulnerable component of the environment;

  3. (c) the offence caused harm or risk of harm to human health;

  4. (d) the damage or harm caused by the offence is extensive, persistent or irreparable;

  5. (e) the offender committed the offence intentionally or recklessly;

  6. (f) the offender failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence despite having the financial means to do so;

  7. (g) by committing the offence or failing to take action to prevent its commission, the offender increased revenue or decreased costs or intended to increase revenue or decrease costs;

  8. (h) the offender committed the offence despite having been warned by an enforcement officer of the circumstances that subsequently became the subject of the offence;

  9. (i) the offender has a history of non-compliance with federal or provincial legislation that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection; and

  10. (j) after the commission of the offence, the offender

    1. attempted to conceal its commission,

    2. failed to take prompt action to prevent, mitigate or remediate its effects, or

    3. failed to take prompt action to reduce the risk of committing similar offences in the future.

Absence of aggravating factor

(3) The absence of an aggravating factor set out in subsection (2) is not a mitigating factor.

Meaning of “damage”

(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a), (b) and (d), “damage” includes loss of use value and non-use value.

Reasons

(5) If the court is satisfied of the existence of one or more of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2) but decides not to increase the amount of the fine because of that factor, the court shall give reasons for that decision.

2009, c. 14, s. 81.

Discharge

Absolute or conditional discharge

288. (1) Where an offender has pleaded guilty to or been found guilty of an offence, the court may, instead of convicting the offender, by order direct that the offender be discharged absolutely or on conditions having any or all of the effects described in paragraphs 291(1)(a) to (q).

Conditions of order

(2) If an order is made under subsection (1) and the offender contravenes or fails to comply with it, or is convicted of an offence under this Act, the prosecutor may apply to the court to revoke the discharge, convict the offender of the offence to which the discharge relates and impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the offender had been convicted at the time the order was made.

1999, c. 33, s. 288; 2009, c. 14, s. 82.

Previous Version

Suspended sentence

289. (1) Where an offender is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may suspend the passing of sentence and may, having regard to the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission, make an order under section 291.

Application by prosecutor

(2) If the passing of sentence has been suspended under subsection (1) and the offender contravenes or fails to comply with an order made under section 291, or is convicted of an offence under this Act, the prosecutor may apply to the court to impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the passing of sentence had not been suspended.

1999, c. 33, s. 289; 2009, c. 14, s. 83.

Previous Version

290. [Repealed, 2009, c. 14, s. 84]

Previous Version

Orders of court

291. (1) Where an offender has been convicted of an offence under this Act, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed under this Act, the court may, having regard to the nature of the offence and the circumstances surrounding its commission, make an order having any or all of the following effects:

  1. (a) prohibiting the offender from doing any act or engaging in any activity that may result in the continuation or repetition of the offence;

  2. (b) directing the offender to take any action that the court considers appropriate to remedy or avoid any harm to the environment that results or may result from the act or omission that constituted the offence;

  3. (c) directing the offender to prepare and implement a pollution prevention plan or an environmental emergency plan;

  4. (d) directing the offender to carry out environmental effects monitoring in the manner established by the Minister or directing the offender to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount for the purposes of environmental effects monitoring;

  5. (e) directing the offender to implement an environmental management system that meets a recognized Canadian or international standard;

  6. (f) directing the offender to have an environmental audit conducted by a person of a class and at the times specified by the court and directing the offender to remedy any deficiencies revealed during the audit;

  7. (f.1) directing the offender to pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada an amount of money that the court considers appropriate for the purpose of promoting the conservation or protection of the environment;

  8. (g) directing the offender to publish, in the manner specified by the court, the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;

  9. (h) directing the offender to notify, at the offender’s own cost and in the manner specified by the court, any person aggrieved or affected by the offender’s conduct of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;

  10. (i) directing the offender to post any bond or pay any amount of money into court that will ensure compliance with any order made under this section;

  11. (j) directing the offender to submit to the Minister, on application by the Minister made within three years after the date of conviction, any information with respect to the offender’s activities that the court considers appropriate and just in the circumstances;

  12. (k) directing the offender to compensate any person, monetarily or otherwise, in whole or in part, for the cost of any remedial or preventive action taken, caused to be taken or to be taken as a result of the act or omission that constituted the offence, including costs of assessing appropriate remedial or preventive action;

  13. (l) directing the offender to perform community service, subject to any reasonable conditions that may be imposed in the order;

  14. (m) [Repealed, 2009, c. 14, s. 85]

  15. (n) directing the offender to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount for the purposes of conducting research into the ecological use and disposal of the substance in respect of which the offence was committed or research relating to the manner of carrying out environmental effects monitoring;

  16. (o) directing the offender to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount to environmental, health or other groups to assist in their work in the community where the offence was committed;

  17. (p) directing the offender to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount to an educational institution including for scholarships for students enrolled in studies related to the environment;

  18. (q) requiring the offender to comply with any other conditions that the court considers appropriate in the circumstances for securing the offender’s good conduct and for deterring the offender and any other person from committing offences under this Act;

  19. (r) requiring the offender to surrender to the Minister any permit or other authorization issued under this Act to the offender; and

  20. (s) prohibiting the offender from applying for any new permit or other authorization under this Act during any period that the court considers appropriate.

Publication

(2) If an offender fails to comply with an order made under paragraph (1)(g), the Minister may, in the manner that the court directed the offender to do so, publish the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed and recover the costs of publication from the offender.

Debt due to Her Majesty

(3) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(f.1) or (k) directing an offender to pay an amount to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or if the Minister incurs publication costs under subsection (2), the amount or the costs, as the case may be, constitute a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction.

Enforcement

(4) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(k) directing an offender to pay an amount to a person, other than to Her Majesty in right of Canada, and the amount is not paid without delay, the person may, by filing the order, enter as a judgment, in the superior court of the province in which the trial was held, the amount ordered to be paid, and that judgment is enforceable against the offender in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.

Cancellation or suspension of permits, etc.

(5) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(r), any permit or other authorization to which the order relates is cancelled unless the court makes an order suspending it for any period that the court considers appropriate.

Coming into force and duration of order

(6) An order made under subsection (1) comes into force on the day on which it is made or on any other day that the court may determine and shall not continue in force for more than three years after that day unless the court provides otherwise in the order.

1999, c. 33, s. 291; 2009, c. 14, s. 85.

Previous Version

Compensation for loss of property

292. (1) Where an offender has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the court may, at the time sentence is imposed and on the application of the person aggrieved, order the offender to pay to that person an amount by way of satisfaction or compensation for loss of or damage to property suffered by that person as a result of the commission of the offence.

Enforcement

(2) Where an amount that is ordered to be paid under subsection (1) is not paid forthwith, the applicant may, by filing the order, enter as a judgment, in the superior court of the province in which the trial was held, the amount ordered to be paid, and that judgment is enforceable against the offender in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.

Compensation for cost of remedial or preventive action

292.1 (1) A court shall not, under paragraph 291(1)(k), order an offender to compensate a person for the cost of any remedial or preventive action referred to in that paragraph if the person is entitled to make a claim for compensation for that cost under the Marine Liability Act or the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.

Compensation for loss or damage - property

(2) A court shall not, under subsection 292(1), order an offender to pay to a person an amount by way of satisfaction or compensation for loss of or damage to property if the person is entitled to make a claim for compensation for that loss or damage under the Marine Liability Act or the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.

2009, c. 14, s. 85.1.

Variation of sanctions

293. (1) Subject to subsection (2), where a court has made, in relation to an offender, an order or direction under section 288, 289 or 291, the court may, on application by the offender or the Attorney General, require the offender to appear before it and, after hearing the offender and the Attorney General, vary the order in one or any combination of the following ways that is applicable and, in the opinion of the court, is rendered desirable by a change in the circumstances of the offender since the order was made:

  1. (a) make changes in the order or the conditions specified in it or extend the period for which the order is to remain in force for any period, not exceeding one year, that the court considers desirable; or

  2. (b) decrease the period for which the order is to remain in force or relieve the offender, either absolutely or partially or for any period that the court considers desirable, of compliance with any condition that is specified in the order.

Notice

(2) Before making an order under subsection (1), the court may direct that notice be given to any persons that the court considers to be interested and may hear any such person.

Subsequent applications with leave

294. Where an application made under section 293 in respect of an offender has been heard by a court, no other application may be made under that section with respect to the offender except with leave of the court.

Application of fines

294.1 (1) Subject to regulations made under section 278, all fines received by the Receiver General in respect of the commission of an offence under this Act, other than fines collected under the Contraventions Act, are to be credited to the Environmental Damages Fund, an account in the accounts of Canada, and used for purposes related to protecting, conserving or restoring the environment or for administering that Fund.

Recommendations of court

(2) The court imposing the fine may recommend to the Minister that all or a portion of the fine credited to the Environmental Damages Fund be paid to a person or an organization specified by the court for a purpose referred to in subsection (1).

2009, c. 14, s. 86.

Publication of information about contraventions

294.2 (1) For the purpose of encouraging compliance with this Act and the regulations, the Minister shall maintain, in a registry accessible to the public, information about all convictions of corporations for offences under this Act.

Retention

(2) Information in the registry is to be maintained for a minimum of five years.

2009, c. 14, s. 86.

Minister may refuse or suspend permit

294.3 The Minister may refuse to issue a permit or other authorization under this Act, or may cancel such a permit or other authorization, if the applicant or the holder has been convicted of an offence under this Act.

2009, c. 14, s. 86.

Contraventions Act

294.4 If an offence under this Act is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act, subsection 8(5) of that Act does not apply in respect of the fine that may be established for that contravention.

2009, c. 14, s. 86.

Review

294.5 (1) The Minister shall, 10 years after the day on which this section comes into force and every 10 years after that, undertake a review of sections 272 to 294.4.

Report to Parliament

(2) The Minister shall, no later than one year after the day on which the review is undertaken, cause a report on the review to be tabled in each House of Parliament.

2009, c. 14, s. 86.

Environmental Protection Alternative Measures

Definitions

295. The definitions in this section apply in sections 296 to 309.

“agreement”
« accord »

“agreement” means an agreement respecting environmental protection alternative measures.

“Attorney General”
« procureur général »

“Attorney General” means the Attorney General of Canada or an agent of the Attorney General of Canada.

“environmental protection alternative measures”
« mesures de rechange »

“environmental protection alternative measures” means measures, other than judicial proceedings, that are used to deal with a person who is alleged to have committed an offence under this Act.

“person”
« personne »

“person” includes individuals, Her Majesty in right of Canada or of a province and public bodies, bodies corporate, societies and companies.

When measures may be used

296. (1) Environmental protection alternative measures may be used to deal with a person who is alleged to have committed an offence under this Act only if it is not inconsistent with the purposes of this Act and the following conditions are met:

  1. (a) the measures are part of a program of environmental protection alternative measures authorized by the Attorney General, after consultation with the Minister;

  2. (b) the offence alleged to have been committed is an offence under this Act, except an offence

    1. in respect of the contravention of subsection 16(4), 81(1), (2), (3) or (4), 82(1) or (2), 84(2) or 96(4), section 99, subsection 106(1), (2), (3) or (4), 107(1) or (2), 109(1) or (2), 119(1), 148(1), 202(4) or 213(4) or section 227 or 228, or any obligation or prohibition arising from any of those provisions,

    2. for failing to comply with

      1. an order or a direction made under this Act;

      2. an order, direction or decision of a court made under this Act; or

      3. an agreement, or

    3. under any of paragraphs 272(1)(k) and (l) and subsections 274(1) and (2);

  3. (c) an information has been laid in respect of the offence;

  4. (d) the Attorney General, after consulting with the Minister, is satisfied that they would be appropriate, having regard to the nature of the offence, the circumstances surrounding its commission and the following factors, namely,

    1. the protection of the environment and of human life and health and other interests of society,

    2. the person’s history of compliance with this Act,

    3. whether the offence is a repeated occurrence,

    4. any allegation that information is being or was concealed or other attempts to subvert the purposes and requirements of this Act are being or have been made, and

    5. whether any remedial or preventive action has been taken by or on behalf of the person in relation to the offence;

  5. (e) the person has been advised of the right to be represented by counsel;

  6. (f) the person accepts responsibility for the act or omission that forms the basis of the offence that the person is alleged to have committed;

  7. (g) the person applies, in accordance with regulations made under section 309, to participate in the measures;

  8. (h) the person and the Attorney General have entered into an agreement within the period of 180 days after the Attorney General has provided initial disclosure of the Crown’s evidence to the person;

  9. (i) there is, in the opinion of the Attorney General, sufficient evidence to proceed with the prosecution of the offence; and

  10. (j) the prosecution of the offence is not barred at law.

Restriction on use

(2) Environmental protection alternative measures shall not be used to deal with a person who

  1. (a) denies participation or involvement in the commission of the alleged offence; or

  2. (b) expresses the wish to have any charge against the person dealt with by the court.

Admissions not admissible in evidence

(3) No admission, confession or statement accepting responsibility for a given act or omission made by a person as a condition of being dealt with by environmental protection alternative measures is admissible in evidence against the person in any civil or criminal proceedings.

Dismissal of charge

(4) Where environmental protection alternative measures have been used to deal with a person alleged to have committed an offence, the court shall dismiss the charge laid against the person in respect of that offence where the court is satisfied on a balance of probabilities that the person has complied with the agreement.

No bar to proceedings

(5) The use of environmental protection alternative measures in respect of a person who is alleged to have committed an offence is not a bar to any proceedings against the person under this Act.

Laying of information, etc.

(6) This section does not prevent any person from laying an information, obtaining the issue or confirmation of any process, or proceeding with the prosecution of any offence, in accordance with the law.

1999, c. 33, s. 296; 2009, c. 14, s. 87.

Previous Version

Sentencing considerations

297. If an information in respect of an offence of contravening an agreement has been laid and proceedings in respect of the alleged offence for which the agreement was entered into have been recommenced, the court imposing a sentence for either offence shall take into account, in addition to the principles and factors referred to in section 287.1, any sentence that has previously been imposed for the other offence.

1999, c. 33, s. 297; 2009, c. 14, s. 88.

Previous Version

Nature of measures contained in agreement

298. (1) An agreement may contain any terms and conditions, including, but not limited to,

  1. (a) terms and conditions having any or all of the effects set out in section 291 or any other terms and conditions having any of the effects prescribed by the regulations that the Attorney General, after consulting with the Minister, considers appropriate; and

  2. (b) terms and conditions relating to the costs of laboratory tests and of field tests, travel and living expenses, costs of scientific analyses and other reasonable costs associated with supervising and verifying compliance with the agreement.

Supervisory bodies

(2) Any governmental or non-governmental body may supervise compliance with an agreement.

Duration of agreement

299. An agreement comes into force on the day on which it is signed or on any later day that is specified in the agreement and continues in force for the period, not exceeding three years, specified in the agreement.

Filing in court for the purpose of public access

300. (1) Subject to subsection (5), the Attorney General shall consult with the Minister before entering into an agreement and shall cause the agreement to be filed, as part of the court record of the proceedings to which the public has access, with the court in which the information was laid, within 30 days after the agreement was entered into.

Reports

(2) A report relating to the administration of or compliance with an agreement shall, immediately after all the terms and conditions of the agreement have been complied with or the charges in respect of which the agreement was entered into have been dismissed, be filed with the court in which the agreement was filed in accordance with subsection (1).

Confidential information or material injury

(3) Subject to subsection (4), the following information that is to be part of an agreement or the report referred to in subsection (2) must be set out in a schedule to the agreement or to the report:

  1. (a) trade secrets of any person;

  2. (b) financial, commercial, scientific or technical information that is confidential information and that is treated consistently in a confidential manner by any person;

  3. (c) information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to result in material financial loss or gain to, or could reasonably be expected to prejudice the competitive position of, any person; or

  4. (d) information the disclosure of which could reasonably be expected to interfere with contractual or other negotiations of any person.

Agreement on information to be in schedule

(4) The parties to an agreement must agree on which information that is to be part of an agreement or a report is information that meets the requirements of paragraphs (3)(a) to (d).

Manner in which schedules to be kept secret

(5) A schedule to an agreement or to the report referred to in subsection (2) is confidential and shall not be filed with the court.

Prohibition of disclosure

(6) The Minister shall not disclose any information set out in a schedule to the agreement or to the report referred to in subsection (2), except under section 307 or under the Access to Information Act.

Filing in Environmental Registry

301. A copy of every agreement and report referred to in subsection 300(2) and every agreement that has been varied under subsection 303(1), or a notice that the agreement or report has been filed in court and is available to the public, shall be included in the Environmental Registry.

Stay and recommencement of proceedings

302. Despite section 579 of the Criminal Code,

  1. (a) the Attorney General shall, on filing the agreement, stay the proceedings or apply to the court for an adjournment of the proceedings in respect of the offence alleged to have been committed for a period of not more than one year after the expiry of the agreement; and

  2. (b) proceedings stayed in accordance with paragraph (a) may be recommenced, without laying a new information or preferring a new indictment, as the case may be, by the Attorney General giving notice of the recommencement to the clerk of the court in which the stay of the proceedings was entered, but where no such notice is given within one year after the expiry of the agreement, the proceedings are deemed never to have been commenced.

Application to vary agreement

303. (1) Subject to subsection 300(5), the Attorney General may, on application by the person bound by an agreement and after consulting with the Minister, vary the agreement in one or both of the following ways that, in the opinion of the Attorney General, is rendered desirable by a material change in the circumstances since the agreement was entered into or last varied:

  1. (a) make any changes to the agreement or to its terms and conditions; or

  2. (b) decrease the period for which the agreement is to remain in force or relieve the person, either absolutely or partially or for any period that the Attorney General considers desirable, of compliance with any condition that is specified in the agreement.

Filing of varied agreement

(2) An agreement that has been varied under subsection (1) shall be filed with the court in which the original agreement was filed in accordance with section 300.

Records of persons

304. Sections 305 to 307 apply only to persons who have entered into an agreement, regardless of the degree of their compliance with its terms and conditions.

Records of police forces and investigative bodies

305. (1) A record that relates to an offence that is alleged to have been committed by a person, including the original or a copy of any fingerprints or photographs of the person, may be kept by any police force or body responsible for, or participating in, the investigation of the offence.

Disclosure by enforcement officer or peace officer

(2) An enforcement officer or other peace officer may disclose to any person any information in a record kept under this section that it is necessary to disclose in the conduct of the investigation of an offence.

Disclosure to insurance company

(3) An enforcement officer or other peace officer may disclose to an insurance company any information in a record kept under this section that it is necessary to disclose for the purpose of investigating a claim arising out of an offence that is committed or alleged to have been committed by the person to whom the record relates.

Government records

306. (1) The Minister, enforcement officers and analysts and any department or agency of a government in Canada with which the Minister has entered into an agreement under section 308 may keep records and use information obtained as a result of the use of environmental protection alternative measures to deal with a person

  1. (a) for the purposes of an inspection under this Act or an investigation of an offence under this Act that is alleged to have been committed by the person;

  2. (b) in proceedings against the person under this Act;

  3. (c) for the purpose of the administration of environmental protection alternative measures programs; or

  4. (d) otherwise for the purposes of the administration or enforcement of this Act.

Supervision records

(2) Any person may keep the records and use the information obtained by the person as a result of supervising compliance with an agreement that are necessary for the purpose of supervising compliance with the agreement.

Disclosure of records

307. (1) Any record or information referred to in section 305 or 306 may be made available to

  1. (a) any judge or court for any purpose that relates to proceedings relating to offences that are committed or alleged to have been committed by the person to whom the record relates;

  2. (b) any prosecutor, enforcement officer or other peace officer

    1. for the purpose of investigating an offence that the person is suspected on reasonable grounds of having committed, or in respect of which the person has been arrested or charged, or

    2. for any purpose that relates to the administration of the case to which the record relates;

  3. (c) any member of a department or agency of a government in Canada, or any agent of such a department or agency, that is

    1. engaged in the administration of environmental protection alternative measures in respect of the person, or

    2. preparing a report in respect of the person under this Act; or

  4. (d) any other person who is deemed, or any person within a class of persons that is deemed, by a judge of a court to have a valid interest in the record, to the extent directed by the judge, if the judge is satisfied that the disclosure is

    1. desirable in the public interest for research or statistical purposes, or

    2. desirable in the interest of the proper administration of justice,

    and if that person gives a written undertaking not to subsequently disclose the information except in accordance with subsection (2).

Subsequent disclosure

(2) Where a record is made available to a person under subparagraph (1)(d)(i), the person may subsequently disclose information contained in the record, but shall not disclose it in any form that could reasonably be expected to identify the person to whom it relates and any other person specified by the judge.

Information, copies

(3) Any person to whom a record is authorized to be made available under this section may be given any information that is contained in the record and may be given a copy of any part of the record.

Evidence

(4) Nothing in this section authorizes the introduction into evidence of any part of a record that would not otherwise be admissible in evidence.

Exception for public access to court record

(5) For greater certainty, this section does not apply to an agreement, a varied agreement or report that is filed with the court in accordance with section 300.

Agreements respecting exchange of information

308. The Minister may enter into an agreement with a department or agency of a government in Canada respecting the exchange of information for the purpose of administering environmental protection alternative measures or preparing a report in respect of a person’s compliance with an agreement.

Regulations

309. The Minister may make regulations respecting the environmental protection alternative measures that may be used for the purposes of this Act including, but not limited to, regulations

  1. (a) excluding specified offences under this Act from the application of those measures;

  2. (b) prescribing the form and manner in which and the period within which an application to participate in the measures is to be made, and the information that must be contained in or accompany the application;

  3. (c) respecting the manner of preparing and filing reports relating to the administration of and compliance with agreements;

  4. (d) respecting the types of reasonable costs and the manner of paying the costs associated with supervising and verifying compliance with an agreement; and

  5. (e) respecting the terms and conditions that may be provided for in an agreement and their effects.

Contraventions

Ticketing

310. (1) Despite anything in this Act, the Governor in Council may, by regulation, on the recommendation of the Minister, designate any offence under this Act as an offence with respect to which, despite the Criminal Code, an enforcement officer may lay an information and issue and serve a summons by completing a ticket in the prescribed form, affixing to it the enforcement officer’s signature and delivering it to the person who is alleged to have committed the offence specified in it at the time the offence is alleged to have been committed.

Regulations

(2) Any regulations made under this section

  1. (a) shall establish a procedure for entering a plea and paying a fine in respect of each offence to which the regulations relate;

  2. (b) shall prescribe the amount of the fine to be paid in respect of each offence; and

  3. (c) may prescribe any other matter necessary to carry out the purposes of this section.

Failure to respond to ticket

(3) Where a person is served with a ticket and does not enter a plea within the time prescribed by the regulations, a justice shall examine the ticket and

  1. (a) if the ticket is complete and regular on its face, the justice shall enter a conviction in the person’s absence and impose a fine of the prescribed amount; or

  2. (b) if the ticket is not complete and regular on its face, the justice shall quash the proceedings.

Other Remedies

Injunction

311. (1) Where, on the application of the Minister, it appears to a court of competent jurisdiction that a person has done or is about to do or is likely to do any act or thing constituting or directed toward the commission of an offence under this Act, the court may issue an injunction ordering any person named in the application

  1. (a) to refrain from doing any act or thing that it appears to the court may constitute or be directed toward the commission of an offence under this Act; or

  2. (b) to do any act or thing that it appears to the court may prevent the commission of an offence under this Act.

Notice

(2) No injunction shall be issued under subsection (1) unless 48 hours notice is given to the party or parties named in the application or the urgency of the situation is such that service of notice would not be in the public interest.

Defence

Defence

312. In a prosecution for a contravention of a provision of Division 5 of Part 7 by a company engaged in the business of assembling or altering vehicles, it is a defence for the company to establish that the contravention occurred as a result of work previously done on a vehicle by another company engaged in the manufacture of the vehicle.

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