R. v. O'Hara (G.), (1993) 119 N.S.R.(2d) 128 (ProvCt)

• Judge: Batiot, P.C.J.
• Court: Provincial Court of Nova Scotia (Canada)
• Case Date: August 18, 1992
• Jurisdiction: Nova Scotia
• Citations: (1993), 119 N.S.R.(2d) 128 (ProvCt)

R. v. O'Hara (G.) (1993), 119 N.S.R.(2d) 128 (ProvCt);

  330 A.P.R. 128

MLB headnote and full text

Her Majesty the Queen v. Gerald O'Hara

Indexed As: R. v. O'Hara (G.)

Nova Scotia Provincial Court

Batiot, P.C.J.

January 15, 1993.

Summary:

An accused was charged with obstructing an environmental inspector contrary to s. 43(3) of the Nova Scotia Environmental Act.

The Nova Scotia Provincial Court found the accused guilty.

Pollution Control - Topic 9126

Offences - Strict liability offences - Ob­structing an inspector - While investi­gating an oil spill, Dockerty introduced himself to O'Hara as an environmental inspector - They exchanged business cards - O'Hara inquired into the consequences - O'Hara gave Dockerty the owner's name and left to get his phone number - Mean­while, Dockerty concluded that an aban­doned underground petroleum tank should be removed - O'Hara returned - Conver­sation ensued over the spill and the tanks - O'Hara ordered Dockerty off the proper­ty and ensured his departure - Dockerty attempted to show his badge, but O'Hara declined to look - The Nova Scotia Pro­vincial Court concluded that O'Hara was guilty of obstructing an inspector contrary to s. 41(3) of the Nova Scotia Environ­mental Protection Act and rejected the defences of mistake of fact and due dili­gence.

Pollution Control - Topic 9127

Offences - Strict liability offences - Defence of due diligence - [See Pollution Control - Topic 9126 ].

Pollution Control - Topic 9128

Offences - Strict liability offences - Defence of mistake of fact - [See Pollu­tion Control - Topic 9126 ].

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Sault Ste. Marie (City), [1978] 2 S.C.R. 1299; 21 N.R. 295; 40 C.C.C.(2d) 353; 85 D.L.R.(3d) 161; 3 C.R.(3d) 30, refd to. [para. 3].

R. v. City of Sault Ste. Marie - see R. v. Sault Ste. Marie (City).

R. v. Wholesale Travel Group Inc. and Chedore (1991), 130 N.R. 1; 49 O.A.C. 161; 67 C.C.C.(3d) 193 (S.C.C.), refd to. [para. 3].

R. v. Chase (1987), 34 N.B.R.(2d) 690; 85 A.P.R. 690 (T.D.), refd to. [para. 43].

R. v. Union Carbide Inc. (1974), 20 C.C.C. 374 (Ont. Co. Ct.), refd to. [para. 43].

R. v. MacPherson and Cole (1977), 24 N.S.R.(2d) 102; 35 A.P.R. 102 (C.A.), appld. [para. 47].

Statutes Noticed:

Dangerous Goods and Hazardous Waste Management Act Regulations (N.S.), Petroleum Storage Regulations, Reg. 33/88, sect. 35(3), sect. 35(4) [para. 52].

Environmental Protection Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 150, sect. 43 [para. 41].

Evidence Act, R.S.N.S. 1989, c. 154, sect. 6 [para. 42].

Petroleum Storage Regulations - see Dan­gerous Goods and Hazardous Waste Management Act Regulations (N.S.).

Counsel:

Frank Hoskins, and J. Marshall Burgess, for the Crown;

R.A. Meagher, for the defence.

This case was heard on July 28 and August 18, 1992, at Halifax, Nova Scotia, before Batiot, P.C.J., of the Nova Scotia Provincial Court, who delivered judgment on January 15, 1993.