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11 June 2004
CP Charged with
Environmental Violations
Port Coquitlam - Canadian
Pacific Railways Ltd. appeared in BC Provincial Court today charged with two counts under subsection
36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act for spilling glycol, a deleterious substance and an ingredient
commonly used in anti-freeze, into Burrard Inlet.
Environment Canada laid the charges on 10 May 2004 after a lengthy investigation. On
5 Feb 2003, a Canadian Pacific Railway train derailed at Pacific Coast Terminals in
Port Moody, British Columbia. Two of the seven derailed cars are alleged to have leaked glycol into
a nearby ditch and, eventually, into Burrard Inlet. The total volume of the spill is estimated at
between 14,000 and 16,000 US gallons of glycol.
Subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act prohibits any person from depositing or permitting a deposit
of a deleterious substance into waters frequented by fish. First offenses under subsection 36(3) are
punishable by a fine up to $300,000. Any subsequent offenses are punishable by a fine up to $300,000,
a term of imprisonment not exceeding six months, or both.
This incident was investigated by fishery inspectors of Environment Canada's Environmental Protection
Branch located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Environment Canada investigates alleged offences under
the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Fisheries Act, in order to ensure compliance
with legislation and regulations that protect the Canadian environment.
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