This case was heard in the Provincial Court of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Corner Brook Pulp and Paper Limited pleaded guilty to having deposited a deleterious substance in waters frequented by fish, contrary to section 36(3) of the federal Fisheries Act. As a result of using aluminum coupling on a hose that was being used to carry sodium hydroxide, the sodium hydroxide corroded the coupling and roughly 7400 litres of the chemical solution were released into the environment. The Court found that company employees had not received proper training regarding the corrosive nature of sodium hydroxide. As the Court determined the size of the fine that ought to be imposed, it emphasized the need to create strong deterrents against environmental harms.

View the Decision on CanLII: https://www.canlii.org/en/nl/nlpc/doc/2010/2010canlii33018/2010canlii33018.html

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