This page has been archived on the Web
Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please contact us to request a format other than those available.
Geraldton Dry Cleaner Ordered to Pay $4,000 for Violating Federal Environmental Law
GERALDTON, Ont. -- December 30, 2011 -- Mr. Samuel Drajanoff, owner of Bestway Dry Cleaners, operating in Geraldton, Ontario, pleaded guilty in the Ontario Provincial Court of Justice on December 22, to two charges for contravening the Tetrachloroethylene (use in dry cleaning and reporting requirements) Regulations made pursuant to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA, 1999). Mr. Drajanoff was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine, of which $3,000 will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund. Mr. Drajanoff has been granted six months as of December 22 to make payment.
Tetrachloroethylene, also known as perchloroethylene, and referred to as PERC, is a commonly used dry-cleaning solvent and is designated as a toxic substance under the CEPA, 1999.
The violations occurred between February 2010 and March 2011, and included failure to have impermeable containers, which are designed to safely capture spills from tanks or machines containing PERC, and failure to transport wastewater and waste residue containing PERC, produced during the dry cleaning process, to a proper waste management facility.
The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada, and was created in 1995 to provide the courts and companies with an option to direct monetary penalties and settlements to investments in the restoration of the environment. It helps ensure polluters take responsibility for their actions and enforces the “polluter pays” principle.
Further information on the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, and the Environmental Damages Fund may be found at http://www.ec.gc.ca/cepaRegistry and http://www.ec.gc.ca/edf-fde.
Environment Canada has created a subscription service to help the public stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment. Subscribing to Environment Canada’s Enforcement Notifications is easy, and free. Sign up today.
- Date modified: