Vaughan company fined $100k by Environment and Climate Change Canada

Yorkregion.com
Aug. 21, 2017
By Ali Raza

A Vaughan company has been fined $100,000 after selling tetrachloroethylene to dry cleaners that didn't follow regulations.

Dalex Canada Inc. from Concord pleaded guilty in court to one count of contravening the tetrachloroethylene regulations, according to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.

Tetrachloroethylene is a dry-cleaning solvent and is designated as a toxic substance. It has the potential to contaminate ground and surface water.

The company was fined as a result of an Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) investigation. The find will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

ECCC conducted inspections in 2014 and found instances where tetrachloroethylene was sold to dry-cleaning facilities that did not meet regulatory standards.

In addition to the fine, the court ordered Dalex Canada to publish an article in an industry publication, subject to ECCC approval. The company must also notify ECCC before resuming sales of regulated product to dry cleaners.

The company's name will be added to the federal environmental offenders registry.