Saskatchewan First Nation Receives $50,600 in Federal and Provincial Fines and Penalties

January 22, 2010

WOLLASTON LAKE, Sask. -- January 22, 2010 -- The Hatchet Lake Denesuline First Nation pleaded guilty today in La Ronge Saskatchewan Provincial Court to two charges under the federal Fisheries Act, one charge under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, and two charges under the Saskatchewan Environmental Management and Protection Act resulting in $31,000 in federal fines and penalties and $19,600 in provincial fines and penalties. 

The charges in this case stem from a June 2006 spill of an estimated 6,000 litres of diesel fuel along the shoreline of Wollaston Lake. A joint investigation by Environment Canada and the Saskatchewan Ministry of the Environment revealed that the spill occurred as a result of a valve being left open on a storage tank. The band was served with both federal and provincial charges in May, 2008.

$10,000 of the federal penalties imposed by the court were allocated to the Environmental Damages Fund.The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment Canada on behalf of the Government of Canada, and provides the courts with a way to direct penalty monies to restore and protect the environment.