News Release

Irving Pulp & Paper Limited Pleads Guilty and Sentenced to Pay a $37,000 Penalty for Charges Laid Under the Federal Fisheries Act

SAINT JOHN, N.B. -- February 13, 2009 -- Today Irving Pulp & Paper Limited pleaded guilty in New Brunswick provincial court to charges laid by Environment Canada under subsection 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act. The company was sentenced to pay a $37,000 penalty for contravening the Act by releasing black liquor, a by-product of the pulp and paper process that is deleterious to fish, into the Saint John river on February 8, 2007.

The court assessed a payment of $30,000 from the penalty to the ACAP Saint John organization. ACAP Saint John is a community-based non-profit organization that encourages local involvement from all sectors of the Saint John community. The two primary goals of ACAP Saint John are to work with the community to improve the environmental health and integrity of the Saint John harbour and its estuaries, and to respond to the growing demand from the public to be more involved in environmental decision making. The remaining $7,000 constitutes a fine paid to the court.

On February 8, 2007, as required by the national Pulp and Paper Effluent Regulations, Irving Pulp & Paper Limited advised Environment Canada  about the release of the black liquor. Subsequently charges were laid against the company in October 2008 after an investigation by Environment Canada’s Atlantic Region Enforcement Branch determined that effluent samples from the plant were highly alkaline and deleterious to fish.

Environment Canada investigates offences under the pollution prevention provisions of the federal Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The Department ensures that businesses and individuals comply with these Acts which serve to protect Canada's environment.

For more information, please contact:

Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
1-888-908-8008