MORRISBURG, Ontario – Two companies were convicted of violating the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). Morrisburg Terminal Inc. (MTI) and Les Terminaux Rideau Bulk Terminals Inc. (RBTI) were accused of dumping salt in the environment.
According to the Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change (MOECC), MTI owns a wharf on Concession 1 in Morrisburg that is operated by RBTI that is used for unloading bulk salt shipments from cargo vessels.
“On Oct. 5, 2015, ministry staff received two complaints from residents adjacent to the site,” a statement from the MOECC reads. “They complained that on Oct. 3 and 4, 2015, a high wind event caused an uncovered salt pile stored outdoors at the site to blow off and impact their properties. One resident witnessed a salt plume coming off the salt piles at the site and onto her property.”
The MOECC goes on to state that after a brief investigation by ministry staff, the ministry referred the case to the MOECC’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch who laid charges against the two companies and obtained convictions.
On Feb. 13, 2018, RBTI was convicted of one offence under the EPA and was fined $55,000 plus a Victim Fine Surcharge (VFS) of $13,750 and was given 12 months to pay the fine.
MTI was also convicted of one offence under the EPA and was given a suspended sentence.
