Environmental Enforcement Bill Receives Royal Assent

Thursday, 18 June 2009 09:51

Bill C-16,the Environmental Enforcement Act, received Royal Assent on June 18th and establishes minimum fines for serious offences by polluters, poachers and wildlife smugglers of between $5,000 for individuals and $500,000 for large corporations.

The Act raises maximum fines to as high as $6 million and gives enforcement officers new powers to investigate cases and grants courts new sentencing authorities that ensure penalties reflect the seriousness of the pollution and wildlife offences. 106 new enforcement officers have been hired and will complete their training by August.

The Act also expands the authority to deal with environmental offenders by:

• specifying aggravating factors such as causing damage to wildlife or wildlife habitat, or causing damage that is extensive, persistent or irreparable;
• providing fine ranges higher for corporate offenders than for individuals;
• doubling fine ranges for repeat offenders;
• authorizing the suspension and cancellation of licenses, permits or other authorizations upon conviction;
• requiring corporate offenders to report convictions to shareholders; and
• mandating the reporting of corporate offences on a public registry.

As well, the Act directs that fines imposed by the courts go to the Environmental Damages Fund which provides funding to local environmental restoration, improvement, research and development, and public education initiatives.

For more information about this act please visit Environment Canada’s Web site.