St. John’s Companies Charged with Ozone Depleting Substance Offences

St. John’s, Newfoundland - March 14, 2002- Environment Canada has filed charges against two St. John’s businesses for alleged violations of the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. The charges were laid against Hiscock Rental and Sales and Rideout Tool and Marine as the result of inspections on August 7th, 2001.

The accused will appear at Provincial Court in St. John’s to enter a plea in relation to charges under Section 23(2) of the Ozone Depleting Substances Regulations. The regulations restrict the sale of ozone-depleting products. Representatives of Hiscock Rental and Sales will appear in court on April 2, 2002. Those for Rideout Tool and Marine will also appear on April 2.

During routine inspections on August 7, 2001 an Environment Canada inspector discovered that both businesses were selling products which Environment Canada alleges contained chemicals which have been banned for sale in Canada since January 1st, 2001. In both cases, the products were a contact cleaning fluid for electrical equipment.

Enforcement of the Ozone Depleting Substances regulations is part of Canada’s contribution and treaty obligation under the Montreal Protocol, which aims to remove ozone-depleting substances from the atmosphere.

For further information contact:
Neil Codner
Investigator
Environment Canada
(709) 772-2065