Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Sentenced to Pay a Penalty of $50,000 for Violating the Federal Fisheries Act

CORNER BROOK, N.L. -- June 30, 2010 -- Corner Brook Pulp and Paper pleaded guilty to violating the federal Fisheries Act during a sentencing hearing held on June 11, 2010 in Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Court in Corner Brook. Today, June 30, the Court ordered the company to pay a total penalty of $50,000.  

An investigation by Environment Canada determined that on October 10, 2007, a line transporting sodium hydroxide from a tanker to the Corner Brook Pulp and Paper mill steam plant failed. As a result approximately 7400 litres of sodium hydroxide, a substance which is harmful to fish, was released from the tanker and entered a storm sewer which flows into Humber Arm.

Following an investigation, on September 24, 2009, the company was charged for releasing a substance that is harmful to fish, into fish-bearing waters.

The penalty includes a court ordered payment of $45,000 to the Environmental Damages Fund, which is administered by Environment Canada.

The remaining $5,000 fine is to be paid to the court.

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