R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al., 2001 ABPC 151

JudgeDaniel, P.C.J.
CourtProvincial Court of Alberta (Canada)
Case DateAugust 27, 2001
Citations2001 ABPC 151;(2001), 292 A.R. 157 (ProvCt)

R. v. Public Works (2001), 292 A.R. 157 (ProvCt)

MLB headnote and full text

Temp. Cite: [2001] A.R. TBEd. SE.070

Her Majesty the Queen v. Alberta Public Works, Dewar Western Inc. and Browning Ferris Industries (BFI)

(91365114P10101-0104, 0201-0207, 0308; 2001 ABPC 151)

Indexed As: R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al.

Alberta Provincial Court

Daniel, P.C.J.

August 27, 2001.

Summary:

Dewar pleaded guilty to storing hazardous waste (PCBs) without adequate labelling identifying the hazardous waste contrary to Alberta's Waste Control Regulation. BFI pleaded guilty to transporting dangerous goods (asbestos) without proper documentation contrary to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Can.).

The Alberta Provincial Court fined Dewar $40,000 and BFI $3,000.

Trade Regulation - Topic 8025

Hazardous products - Storage of - Sentence - Dewar and BFI were awarded contracts relating to the demolition of a hospital that contained PCBs and asbestos - Dewar pleaded guilty to storing hazardous waste (PCBs) without adequate labelling identifying the hazardous waste, contrary to Alberta's Waste Control Regulation - BFI pleaded guilty to transporting dangerous goods (asbestos) without proper documentation, contrary to the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations (Can.) - Dewar appeared to be a leader in its field -It had taken remedial action - BFI, a U.S. affiliated company, was being wound up in Canada - It was a first offence for both - The Alberta Provincial Court fined Dewar $40,000 and BFI $3,000.

Trade Regulation - Topic 8115

Hazardous products - Transportation of dangerous goods - Sentence - [See Trade Regulation - Topic 8025 ].

Trade Regulation - Topic 9166

Offences - Sentencing - General - Considerations - Corporations - The Alberta Provincial Court stated that "The primary purpose in sentencing a corporation for public welfare offences is to ensure immediate and future compliance with the Statute and Regulations. Secondary objectives are specific and general deterrence, restitution, punishment and rehabilitation. There are many considerations to take into account in imposing penalty: the size of the company involved; the scope of the economic activity in issue; the extent of actual and potential harm to the public; the maximum penalty prescribed by statute; the need to enforce regulatory standards by deterrence; any history of non-compliance; attitude and conduct of the Company before and after the offence; reputation of the Company; what profit the Company stood to make from the violation; and whether damage was done and whether restitution has been made." - See paragraphs 8 to 9.

Cases Noticed:

R. v. Midland Transport Ltd. (1991), 113 N.B.R.(2d) 135; 286 A.P.R. 135 (Prov. Ct.), refd to. [para. 32].

R. v. Felec Services Inc., [1989] N.W.T.R. 217 (Terr. Ct.), refd to. [para. 32].

Counsel:

W. Smart and R. Neufeld, for the Crown;

M.W. Sindlinger and P. Lalonde, for the defence (BFI);

J. Price, for the defence (Dewar).

This matter was heard by Daniel, P.C.J., of the Alberta Provincial Court, who delivered the following decision on August 27, 2001.

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4 practice notes
  • Table of cases
    • Canada
    • Irwin Books Environmental Law. Fifth Edition
    • 22 Junio 2019
    ...35 R v 1137749 Ontario Ltd (cob Pro-Teck Electric), 2018 ONCJ 502 ....................201 R v Alberta Public Works (2001), 292 AR 157, 40 CELR (NS) 99, 2001 ABPC 151 .............................................................................................291 R v Alpha Manufacturing Inc,......
  • Toxic Substances
    • Canada
    • Irwin Books Environmental Law. Fifth Edition
    • 22 Junio 2019
    ...charges under CEPA 1999 , above note 16, see R v Snap-On Tools of Canada Ltd (2001), 44 CELR (NS) 301 (Ct J); R v Alberta Public Works (2001), 292 AR 157 (Prov Ct); R v Leon-Ram Enterprises (2001), 41 CELR (NS) 179 (Sask Prov Ct). See also Canada (AG) v Cariboo Pulp and Paper Co , [2007] BC......
  • R. v. Buffalo Airways Ltd., [2014] Northwest Terr. Cases Uned. 22 (TC)
    • Canada
    • Territorial Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
    • 22 Agosto 2014
    ...of Dangerous Goods Act: $ 10,000. [46] The Defendant will have six months to pay this fine. Footnotes 1. SOR/2001-286 2. SC 199, c. 34 3. 2001 ABPC 151 at para. 7 4. R. v. City of Sault Ste. Marie, [1978] 2 S.C.R. 1299 in R. v. Wholesale Travel Group Inc., [1991] 3 S.C.R. 154. 5. R. v. Nort......
  • R. v. Behlen Industries Inc.,
    • Canada
    • Provincial Court of Manitoba (Canada)
    • 11 Febrero 2015
    ...Works Dewar Western Inc. v. Browning Ferris Industries - see R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al. R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al. (2001), 292 A.R. 157; 2001 ABPC 151, refd to. [para. V. Mitrovic, for the Crown; C. Unfried, for the accused. This matter was heard before Martin, P.C.J., of the ......
2 cases
  • R. v. Buffalo Airways Ltd., [2014] Northwest Terr. Cases Uned. 22 (TC)
    • Canada
    • Territorial Court of Northwest Territories (Canada)
    • 22 Agosto 2014
    ...of Dangerous Goods Act: $ 10,000. [46] The Defendant will have six months to pay this fine. Footnotes 1. SOR/2001-286 2. SC 199, c. 34 3. 2001 ABPC 151 at para. 7 4. R. v. City of Sault Ste. Marie, [1978] 2 S.C.R. 1299 in R. v. Wholesale Travel Group Inc., [1991] 3 S.C.R. 154. 5. R. v. Nort......
  • R. v. Behlen Industries Inc.,
    • Canada
    • Provincial Court of Manitoba (Canada)
    • 11 Febrero 2015
    ...Works Dewar Western Inc. v. Browning Ferris Industries - see R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al. R. v. Public Works (Alta.) et al. (2001), 292 A.R. 157; 2001 ABPC 151, refd to. [para. V. Mitrovic, for the Crown; C. Unfried, for the accused. This matter was heard before Martin, P.C.J., of the ......
2 books & journal articles
  • Table of cases
    • Canada
    • Irwin Books Environmental Law. Fifth Edition
    • 22 Junio 2019
    ...35 R v 1137749 Ontario Ltd (cob Pro-Teck Electric), 2018 ONCJ 502 ....................201 R v Alberta Public Works (2001), 292 AR 157, 40 CELR (NS) 99, 2001 ABPC 151 .............................................................................................291 R v Alpha Manufacturing Inc,......
  • Toxic Substances
    • Canada
    • Irwin Books Environmental Law. Fifth Edition
    • 22 Junio 2019
    ...charges under CEPA 1999 , above note 16, see R v Snap-On Tools of Canada Ltd (2001), 44 CELR (NS) 301 (Ct J); R v Alberta Public Works (2001), 292 AR 157 (Prov Ct); R v Leon-Ram Enterprises (2001), 41 CELR (NS) 179 (Sask Prov Ct). See also Canada (AG) v Cariboo Pulp and Paper Co , [2007] BC......

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