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Elphège et Norbert LeBlanc LTD. fined for falsifying or illegally altering a Certificate of Origin and Hygiene

On September 16, 2004, Elphège et Norbert LeBlanc LTD., a fish processing company based in Cap-Pelé, New Brunswick, entered a guilty plea in New Brunswick Provincial Court in Shediac, New Brunswick, to one count of contravening Subsection 9.(1) of the Fish Inspection Act and was fined $2000.

An investigation conducted by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) in Québec and New Brunswick determined that on or between April 16, 2004, and May 4, 2004, the accused falsified or illegally altered a CFIA Certificate of Origin and Hygiene issued by a CFIA inspector.

A Certificate of Origin and Hygiene issued by a CFIA inspector under the authority of the Fish Inspection Act certifies that a fish product meets all regulatory standards for safety, identity and quality.

Subsection 9.(1) of the Fish Inspection Act states:

No person shall falsify or unlawfully alter, destroy, erase or obliterate any declaration, inspection certificate or other document made or issued under this Part or the regulations made thereunder or any marks placed on any containers pursuant to this Part or those regulations.

CFIA prosecution bulletins report on legal proceedings in which a conviction has been obtained. In publishing them, we are seeking to increase awareness of the Agency’s role in enforcing the Acts and Regulations for which it is responsible. Under its mandate, CFIA provides Canadian businesses and consumers with inspection and related services that contribute to improving the overall integrity of the food safety, animal health and plant protection systems.

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