Staying compliant with provincial and federal environmental regulations can be challenging. One of the reasons we post monthly environmental compliance tips is to provide compliance reminders and updates to help avoid or limit instances of environmental enforcement.
However, even the most diligent approach to environmental compliance can sometimes fall short. Below, we look at some recent environmental enforcement news that may provide some cautionary tales.
Rain Event Leads to Potential Fine
Trans Mountain is facing $292,000 in regulatory fines for alleged environmental issues dating back to January 2024 that occurred along a stretch of its British Columbia pipeline expansion route. In January 2024, a major rainstorm affected the area (the Fraser Valley) with approximately 100 millimetres of rain. The rain triggered flooding along sections of the pipeline.
The Canada Energy Regulator inspected the site and noted several violations relating to response time, broken wildlife fencing, and a small landslide. They also noted that pumps that were intended to prevent sediment-impacted water from entering the stream were not activated during the storm (Source: The Canadian Press).
The Canadian Press article went on to say, “In a statement, a company spokesperson said it had received notice of the fine and was reviewing details of the decision. ‘We take our regulatory requirements, including our commitment to environmental protection, seriously,’ read the statement.”
Also see Canada Energy Regulator’s Compliance and Enforcement page.
A heavy rain event triggered flooding along sections of a pipeline (Photo by Datingscout on Unsplash).
Failure to Comply with Compliance Order
According to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), “On October 14, 2025, the Court of Québec ordered the company Canacha Inc. to pay a fine of $125,000 after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999. The offence relates to a failure to comply with an environmental protection compliance order.”
In March and April of 2022, ECCC enforcement officers, working with Canada Border Services Agency officers, intercepted several shipping containers declared to contain bales of paper to be exported to India from the ports of Montréal and Halifax. However, the shipping containers were “contaminated with household waste, including plastic and metal.” ECCC said that Canacha Inc. (Canacha) could not export them to India, as they “did not have the required authorization.” Additionally, Canacha was required to submit an environmental management plan to the ECCC by September 9, 2022. In failing to do so, they violated the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
Provincial Fine
A recently announced provincial enforcement action in Ontario, while a fraction of the two federal enforcement efforts, is nonetheless an environmental violation.
Ventra Group Company (part of Flex|N|Gate) was convicted for failing to comply with a ministry approval by failing to operate equipment as required. Ventra Group was convicted of two violations under the Environmental Protection Act, fined $25,000, plus a victim fine surcharge of $6,250, and given six months to pay.
In July 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Environment issued an Environmental Compliance Approval (ECA) to the facility. The facility operates a Regenerative Thermal Oxidizer (RTO) to control the emissions of volatile organic chemicals.
The ECA requires Ventra Group to operate the RTO with a minimum temperature in the combustion chamber of 871 degrees Celsius when combusting solvent-laden gases. According to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, “The minimum operating temperature is prescribed by the ECA to ensure adequate combustion and to reduce emissions.”
On two occasions in October and November 2022, Ventra operated the RTO at temperatures lower than the minimum operating temperature and, therefore, failed to comply with the facility’s ECA.
The ministry’s Environmental Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid charges, which resulted in the convictions. The announcement was dated August 27, 2025.
Environmental Assistance
If you need assistance with an environmental issue, we can help. Contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo, or Katherine Rey, E.P, at 519-948-7300.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Katherine Rey, EP, reviewed this blog. Katherine is a project manager at Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Katherine has more than 17 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. See Katherine’s bio.
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