Brantford cat litter manufacturer fined nearly $100K
A manufacturer in Brantford is on the hook for nearly $100,000 after spilling around 200 litres of Clean Burst, a scented product used in its cat litter, violating the Environmental Protection Act.
On Wednesday, the province said Normerica had been convicted and fined $75,000, plus a victim fine surcharge of $18,750.
The conviction comes nearly four years after the offense, which the province said in a news release occurred on or about Aug. 10, 2019.
The province said, as part of the manufacturing process, Normerica adds a scent product called Clean Burst to a portion of its cat litter.
“On August 14, 2019, a member of the community reported an odour to the ministry. The odour was described as bearing a “cleaning product scent” that caused irritation of the eyes and throat while in the plant’s vicinity,” the province said.
On Aug. 15, the ministry contacted Normerica’s plant manager to advise of the odour complaint and the manager informed the ministry the plant “did not run anything scent-wise” the day prior.
According to the province, Normerica reported that the plant manager investigated and concluded that the odour was unlikely to have been caused by plant operations.
“On September 11, 2019, a neighbouring business reported a foamy substance with a soap-like odour emerging from a sewer drain on their property,” the province said.
That same day, an inspector from the City of Brantford met with Normerica’s plant manager, who advised that there had been a spill of Clean Burst at the plant on August 10, 2019.
“Laboratory analysis of three samples obtained by the ministry on September 11, 2019, from the storm sewer outfall and the catch basin on plant property confirmed the presence of components of Clean Burst in all three samples,” the province said.
The company was given one year to pay the fine.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Stormy Daniels describes meeting Trump during occasionally graphic testimony in hush money trial
Stormy Daniels took the witness stand Tuesday at Donald Trump's hush money trial, describing for jurors a sexual encounter the porn actor says she had with him in 2006 that resulted in her being paid off to keep silent during the presidential race 10 years later.
Former homicide detective explains how police will investigate shooting outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion
Footage from dozens of security cameras in the area of Drake’s Bridle Path mansion could be the key to identifying the suspect responsible for shooting and seriously injuring a security guard outside the rapper’s sprawling home early Tuesday morning, a former Toronto homicide detective says.
Jeremy Skibicki has 'uphill battle' to prove he's not criminally responsible in Winnipeg killings: legal analysts
Accused killer Jeremy Skibicki could have a challenging time convincing a judge that he is not criminally responsible for the deaths of four Indigenous women, a legal analyst says.
Indian envoy warns of 'big red line,' days after charges laid in Nijjar case
India's envoy to Canada insists relations between the two countries are positive overall, despite what he describes as 'a lot of noise.'
Alcohol believed to be a factor in boating incident after 2 men die: N.S. RCMP
Two Nova Scotia men are dead after a boat they were travelling in sank in the Annapolis River in Granville Centre, N.S., on Monday.
Bye-bye bag fee: Calgary repeals single-use bylaw
A Calgary bylaw requiring businesses to charge a minimum bag fee and only provide single-use items when requested has officially been tossed.
Susan Buckner, who played spirited cheerleader Patty Simcox in 'Grease,' dead at 72
Susan Buckner, best known for playing peppy Rydell High School cheerleader Patty Simcox in the 1978 classic movie musical 'Grease,' has died. She was 72.
CFL suspends Argos QB Chad Kelly at least nine games following investigation
The CFL suspended Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for at least nine regular-season games Tuesday following its investigation into a lawsuit filed by a former strength-and-conditioning coach against both the player and club.
Air France flight from Paris to Seattle lands in Iqaluit after heat smell in cabin
A plane travelling from Paris to Seattle was forced to make an emergency landing in Iqaluit after there was a heat smell in the cabin during the flight.