Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc - conviction information for 2023-06-15
| Corporation name: | Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc |
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| Address: | 162, Marie-Victorin Blvd |
| City: | Sorel-Tracy |
| Province/territory: | Quebec |
| Postal code: | J3R 1M6 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Sector or industry: | 331 - Primary metal manufacturing |
| Location of offense: | 162, Marie-Victorin Blvd, Sorel-Tracy, Quebec |
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| Case summary: |
On or around June 3, 2020, a spill of caustic soda occurred during work at the Rio Tinto Fer et Titane inc. complex in Sorel-Tracy, Quebec. A total of 1,314 litres of caustic soda spilled into the complex's sewer system, reaching the final effluent, which flowed into the St. Lawrence River. The same day, Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. notified Environment and Climate Change Canada that the final effluent had a pH above 9.5, which is harmful to fish.
A second incident occurred on or around December 26, 2020. A ruptured waste acid pipe released 7,000 litres of hydrochloric acid into the complex's stormwater system, which empties into the St. Lawrence River.
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| Charges: |
Section 40(2) of the Fisheries Act
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| Enforcement notification: | Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. ordered to pay $600,000 for violating the Fisheries Act |
| Result: | Guilty Plea |
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| Date of conviction: | 2023-06-15 |
| Court level: | Provincial and Territorial Court |
| Nature of offense(s): |
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| Additional details about the nature of the offense: |
| Act | Regulations | Section(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Pollution Prevention provisions (subsection 36(3)) of the Fisheries Act | 40(2) |
| Date of sentencing: |
2023-06-15 |
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| Location of sentencing: | Longueuil |
| Sentence(s): |
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| Amount of fine(s): | $600,000 |
| Sentencing details: |
On June 15, 2023, Rio Tinto Fer et Titane Inc. was ordered by the Court of Quebec to pay fines totalling $600,000, after pleading guilty to two counts of contravening subsection 36(3) of the Fisheries Act. The fines will be paid in full to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund.
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