Environmental compliance reports

October 23, 2024: Peter Morris

Peter Morris received a $6,000 administrative penalty for non-compliances under the Open Burning Smoke Control Regulation including:

• Burning within 100m of residences
• Failing to notify neighbors living within 500m before the burn
• Failing to complete burning by 4pm the day the burn started

Administrative penalty

---

October 8, 2024: Greenhills Holdings Corp.

 Greenhills Holdings Corp. received a $80,000 administrative penalty for:

• Depositing settling pond effluent next to Alice Creek
• Allowing a pit berm to be breached which resulted in heavily sedimented effluent entering Alice Creek and three other watercourses downstream

 Administrative penalty

September 11, 2024: Allied Salvage & Metals (1985) Ltd.

Allied Salvage & Metals (1985) Ltd. received two administrative penalties (AP) for allowing effluent generated at their metal recycling facilities to enter the environment. The effluent was discharged to the City of Richmond’s storm sewer system which drains to the Fraser River.

• $17,730 AP for their Mitchell Rd. facility
• $18,020 AP for their Twigg Rd. facility

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

September 9, 2024: Mercer Celgar Pulp Ltd.

Mercer Celgar Pulp Ltd. received two administrative penalties totalling $24,000 for failing to:

• Stay below discharge limits for particulate and total reduced sulphur from their recovery boiler
• Keep the total reduced sulphur in the surrounding area below authorized limits
• Conduct sampling for their source monitoring program

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

August 26, 2024: Ground X Site Services Ltd.

Ground X Site Services Ltd. received a $150,000 administrative penalty for the unauthorized discharge of effluent on two occasions:

• November 29, 2021, to a ditch which drains to the Pitt River
• December 7, 2023, to a ditch which drains to the Pitt River and directly to the Pitt River

Samples of the effluent found it exceeded BC Water Quality Guidelines for multiple parameters including arsenic, chromium, lead, coliforms and hydrocarbons.

Administrative penalty

---

August 26, 2024: Parastone Developments Ltd.

Parastone Developments Ltd. received a $5,500 administrative penalty for non-compliances with the Open Burn Regulation including:

• Beginning burning when the venting forecast was fair turning to poor
• Burning within 500m of residences
• Burning within 1,000m of a community care facility

Administrative penalty

---

August 19,2024: Purity Feed Co. 2003 Ltd.

Purity Feed received a $2,700 administrative penalty for non-compliances with the Integrated Pest Management Regulation including failing to:

• Record information required under the regulation
• Ensure individuals selling pesticides held a dispenser certificate

They previously received an advisory and warnings for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty 

---

August 19, 2024: Launch Construction Ltd.

Launch Construction Ltd. received a $3,000 administrative penalty for non-compliances with the Open Burn Regulation including burning:

• Prohibited material (metal, insulation, painted wood etc.)
• Vegetative material brought from another location

Administrative penalty

---

August 15, 2024: Nicola Mining Inc.

Nicola Mining Inc. (NMI) received 4 administrative penalties totaling $186,940 for non-compliances at their Treasure Mountain Mine. The non-compliances included failing to:

• Meet heavy metal concentration limits
• Submit an adequate Drainage Management Plan
• Do water quality monitoring and sampling
• Submit all required date to the electronic monitoring system (EMS)

NMI has received 3 administrative penalties for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3, 4

---

August 8, 2024: Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine

Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) received a $10,000 administrative penalty for non-compliances related to the operation of their Meziadin Landfill. The non-compliances included failing to:

• Ensure that the landfill did not cause a nuisance with regards to wildlife attraction
• Prevent bears access to attractants
• Maintain its electric fence to prevent bears from entering landfill

The RDKS received warnings in 2020 and 2021 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

August 8, 2024: Teck Coal Limited

Teck Coal Limited (Teck) received two administrative penalties totaling $220,750 for non-compliances at their Elkview Operations site. The non-compliances included discharging process slurry from it’s coal processing plant to the ground 27 times and to surface water twice.

Teck was previously issued a $198,000 AMP in May 2022 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

August 3, 2024: Pacific Abrasives & Supply Inc.

Pacific Abrasives & Supply Inc. operates an abrasives processing facility in Grand Forks. They received a $130,000 administrative penalty for failing to suppress fugitive dust between July of 2020 and December of 2022 from their operation which is close to residential areas. This is the third administrative penalty issued to the company for dust related non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

August 1, 2024: John Vosper

Complaints of a structure fire on Cortes Island in February of 2022 lead to John Vosper being issued a $3,500 administrative penalty for burning prohibited material (construction and demolition debris). Vosper admitted that burning construction debris was less expensive than landfilling.

Administrative penalty

---

July 25, 2024: Fertoz International Organic Inc.

Fertoz International Organic Inc. operates two phosphate rock mines east of Fernie and was issued three administrative penalties totalling $24,700:

• Failure to maintain their Authorized Works in good working order and did not notify the director of changes in process ($12,400)
• Failure to notify the director of any non-compliance with their Authorization ($1,400)
• Failure to provide an annual report and several quarterly reports ($10,900)

Fertoz International Organic Inc. had previously received a warning in 2019.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3

---

July 25, 2024: Hemlock Utility Services Ltd.

Hemlock Utility Services Ltd. provides sanitary services to Sasquatch Mountain Resort near Chilliwack. They were issued five administrative penalties totalling $86,500 for;

• Exceeding discharge limits and failing to maintain the authorized treatment works ($11,420)
• Bypasses of authorized works and overflows of the lagoon that lead to a discharge of sewage to a creek ($20,720)
• Failing to have a properly certified treatment plant operator ($40,000)
• Failing to take flow measurements and grab samples ($12,860)
• Reporting failures ($1,050)

These non-compliances happened between July 2022 and May of 2023. A warning was previously issued in June of 2022.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

---

July 25, 2024: Huldra Properties Inc.

Huldra Properties Inc operates the Craigmont Mine near Merritt. They have been issued a $16,100 administrative penalty for not submitting an updated groundwater monitoring program before restarting discharges to their tailings facility in March of 2023. Another $1,800 was fined for failing to report non-compliances to the ministry between March and October of 2023. This is the second administrative penalty issued for the same failures to comply.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

July 24, 2024: Christian Weller

In December 2023, after multiple complaints were received about visible flames, breathing issues and headaches from a toxic smell near Burns Lake, Christian Weller was found burning insulation, plastics, furniture and other prohibited materials on their property. An $11,875 administrative penalty was issued for burning prohibited material aggravated by human health impacts.

Administrative penalty

---

July 23, 2024: Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd.

The Cooper Mountain Mine near Princeton received two administrative penalties. The first was $11,500 for 16 non-compliances of total copper concentrations in Wolfe Creek and a second was issued for $1,600 for the failure to immediately notify the ministry of non-compliances with their permit between April 2021 and June 2022. Administrative penalties have been previously issued for failure to comply.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

July 23, 2024: Kiranpal Sandhu

After receiving complaints of a structure fire at an orchard near Erickson in May of 2023, Kiranpal Sandhu was found to be the responsible person who directed workers to burn an old structure that contained prohibited materials including shingles, wire, appliances and metal. A $3,500 administrative penalty was issued to Kiranpal Sandhu, who had been previously provided with information on what prohibited materials are by the Creston Fire Department.

Administrative penalty

---

July 10, 2024: Channel Ridge Environmental Systems Ltd.

Channel Ridge Environmental Systems Ltd. operates a private sewage treatment system on Salt Spring Island. They were issued 3 administrative penalties totalling $32,793 for non-compliances with authorized works, receiving environment monitoring and reporting. Warnings for the same non-compliances were issued in 2019 and 2021.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3

---

July 10, 2024: Gavin Mines Inc.

Gavin Mines Inc, who owns the Dome Mountain Mine near Smithers, was fined $9,000 for failing to fully analyze 32 monthly samples for all parameters between June 1, 2021 and January 1, 2023. This is the second administrative penalty for this non-compliance.

Administrative penalty

---

July 10, 2024: Global Pet Food Stores Inc.

Global Pet Food Stores Inc. was issued a $200 administrative penalty for failing to provide an officer information requested to conduct an inspection in February of 2024. A warning for failing to provide information was issued in December of 2023.

Administrative penalty

June 25, 2024: Teck Coal Limited

Teck Coal Limited received a $13,500 administrative penalty for thirteen unauthorized discharges of hydrocarbons between January 5^th and July 4^th, 2021, at their Fording River Operations location.

Administrative penalty

---

June 24, 2024: Cowichan Valley Regional District

The Cowichan Valley Regional District received two administrative penalties totalling $3,338 for non-compliances at their wastewater treatment plant, including failing to:

• monitor effluent quality
• notify the Ministry of exceedances of effluent quality requirements

They received a warning for the same non-compliances in 2021.

Administrative penalty

---

June 24, 2024: Canadian Timberframes Ltd.

Canadian Timberframes Ltd. received a $20,283 administrative penalty for discharging air contaminants from an unauthorized baghouse and cyclone from March 2022 to April 2024.

They received an administrative penalty in 2022 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

June 19, 2024: Waves Coffee Inc.

Waves Coffee Inc. received a $30,891 administrative penalty for non-compliances under the Recycling Regulation including failing to:

• have an approved Extended Producer Recycling Plan
• follow the approved plan

Waves Coffee received a warning for the same non-compliances in 2023.

Administrative penalty

---

June 10, 2024: Conrad Schiebel

Conrad Schiebel received a $1,500 administrative penalty for burning prohibited material included demolition waste, electrical wiring, fibreglass, plastics, polystyrene foam, and rubber at his Turtle Valley Bison Ranch.

 Administrative penalty

---

June 10, 2024: United Concrete and Gravel Ltd.

United Concrete and Gravel Ltd. received an $18,281 administrative penalty for discharging air emissions from four unauthorized sources at its concrete and glass abrasives manufacturing facility. They received warnings in 2019 and 2020 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

June 6, 2024: Conuma Resources Limited

Conuma Resource Limited, which operates a coal mine near Chetwynd, received a $4,750 administrative penalty for:

• Failing to construct and operate the mine in a way that prevents particulate matter exceedances
• Exceeding total particulate matter concentrations

These non-compliances occurred between December 2020 and December 2022.

Administrative penalty

---

June 3, 2024: Conuma Resources Limited

Conuma Resource Limited, which operates a coal mine near Chetwynd, received two administrative penalties totaling $41,100. This was for failing to:

• Follow the approved water quality monitoring program
• Submit monthly reports
• Upload effluent quality results to the ministry’s electronic database (EMS)

These non-compliances occurred between October 2020 and March 2023.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

May 27, 2024: City of Chilliwack

The City of Chilliwack, which owns and operates the Bailey Sanitary Landfill, received an $11,000 administrative penalty for non-compliance with their authorization including:

• Failing to keep the property enclosed with an electric fence to prevent bear issues
• Not keeping the active garbage deposit area within the approved footprint

They received an advisory for the same issues in 2022.

 Administrative penalty

---

May 9, 2024:  Harbourside Lodge Bamfield Ltd.

Harbourside Lodge Bamfield Ltd. received 3 administrative penalties totaling $17,722 for failing to:

• Put a sign above the high-water mark to notify the public about the location of the outfall pipe
• Classify the wastewater treatment plant and maintain the classification with the BC Water and Wastewater Operators Certification Program Society
• Sample for Biochemical Oxygen Demand and Total Suspended Solids on 9 occasions
• Submit an annual report on 3 occasions

They received a warning in 2018 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3  

---

April 30 , 2024: Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd.

Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd. (BGM) received a $9,870 administrative penalty for failing to:

• Conduct all required sampling
• Ensure laboratory quality assurance
• Measure flow

BGM was warned in 2019 and 2021 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

April 15, 2024: Sandher Fruit Packers Ltd.

Sandher Fruit Packers Ltd. received a $78,368 administrative penalty for unauthorized discharge of effluent from their fruit packing operation. Sandher received a violation ticket in 2018 and a $32,000 administrative penalty in 2022 for the same non-compliance.

Administrative penalty

---

April 8, 2024: Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Corporation

Howe Sound Pulp & Paper Corporation received two administrative penalties totaling $22,000 for:

• Exceeding sulphur dioxide discharge limits from their power boiler
• Failing to inspect and maintain plant equipment

Howe Sound received two advisories and a warning for exceeding sulphur dioxide limits between 2018 and 2020.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

April 2, 2024: Conuma Resources Limited

Conuma Resources Limited, a steelmaking coal producer, has been issued two administrative penalties totaling $11,385 for failing to:

• Report non-compliances immediately and take steps to fix the problem
• Conduct water quality monitoring

Conuma received two advisories and three warnings for the same non-compliances between 2017 and 2021.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

March 25, 2024: FortyTwo Metals Inc.

FortyTwo Metals Inc. received a $7,800 administrative penalty (AP) for authorization non-compliances at their molybdenum mine near Trout Lake. The non-compliances included failing to sample their effluent for:

• Dissolved and/or total metals
• Ortho- phosphorus

They received warnings in 2018 and 2019 and an AP in 2020 for the same non-compliances.

Administrative penalty

---

March 12, 2024: TRLG Enterprise Ltd.

TRLG Enterprise Ltd. (TRLG) which operates Cedar Springs Mobile Home Park in Langley, received 5 administrative penalties totaling $77,699. The non-compliances were related to operation of its wastewater treatment plant. The non-compliances included failing to:

• Meet authorization limits for biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, phosphorus, total suspended solids, turbidity and fecal coliforms
• Maintain the treatment system 
• Install a remote alarm system to notify the operator if there was a malfunction
• Conduct monitoring and analysis
• Submit reports with monitoring results and analysis every 6 months

TRLG received a warning in 2017 and an administrative penalty in 2020 for the same issues.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

---

March 6, 2024: 0934110 B.C. Ltd., dba Cottonwood Cove RV Resort

The owners of Cottonwood Cove RV Resort received three administrative penalties totaling $37,360 for failing to report non-compliances with the Municipal Wastewater Regulation, exceeding effluent discharge criteria and failing to carry out required effluent monitoring. They received warnings in 2019 and 2021 for the same issues.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3

---

March 4, 2024: Shuswap Lake Estates Ltd.

Shuswap Lake Estates Ltd. was issued two administrative penalties totaling $18,700 for discharging sewage effluent from an unauthorized treatment lagoon. They received a warning in 2018 and administrative penalties in 2020 and 2021 for the same issue.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

March 4, 2024: Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd

Barkerville Gold Mines Ltd received two administrative penalties totaling $285,860. The penalties were for failing to:

• Stay below effluent discharge characteristic limits on multiple occasions
• Notify the ministry within 48 hours when concentrations of certain parameters exceeded target levels

Barkerville received two administrative penalties for failing to stay below discharge characteristic limits in 2020 and 2021.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

March 4, 2024: Greenridge Ventures Corp

Greenridge Ventures Corp. in Lumby, received a $500 administrative penalty for selling non-excluded pesticides without an active vendor license. They received warnings in 2020 and 2021 for the same issue. 

Administrative penalty

---

March 4, 2024: CHMV Investments Inc. and TRJ Projects Ltd

CHMV Investments Inc. and TRJ Projects Ltd. was issued a $73,150 administrative penalty for not meeting wastewater discharge requirements at their residential strata development in Langley. They exceeded discharge limits for total suspended solids, turbidity, fecal coliforms and nitrate. They received an advisory in 2018, a warning in 2019 and an administrative penalty in 2022 for the same issue.

Administrative penalty

---

February 27, 2024: Nordstrom Enterprises Ltd.

Nordstrom Enterprises Ltd. received 3 administrative penalties totaling $37,625 for non-compliance with their wastewater treatment plant authorization. The penalty was for failing to install:

• A flow measurement device
• Ground water monitoring wells
• Ventilation/observation ports

They also failed to record monthly effluent volumes.

Nordstrom received an administrative penalty in 2021 for the same issues.

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3

---

February 27, 2024: Columbia Shuswap Regional District 

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) was issued a $934 administrative penalty for non-compliance related to its operation of the Golden landfill. The CSRD failed to:

• Minimize bird, rodent and wildlife access to attractants 
• Keep litter from leaving the property boundary 

The CSRD received three warnings for the same issue in 2018, 2019, and 2021.
Administrative penalty

---

February 27, 2024: Columbia Shuswap Regional District 

The Columbia Shuswap Regional District (CSRD) was issued a $934 administrative penalty for non-compliance related to its operation of the Revelstoke landfill. The CSRD failed to:

• Minimize bird, rodent and wildlife access to attractants 
• Keep litter from leaving the property boundary 

The CSRD received three warnings for the same issue in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Administrative penalty

---

February 27, 2024: Conuma Resources Ltd.

Conuma Resources Ltd., who operates the Brule Mine near Chetwynd, received a $5,500 administrative penalty. The penalty was for going over the limits of dustfall allowed in their authorization 26 times between 2019 and 2020. They were warned about this non-compliance in 2018 and 2019. 
Administrative penalty

---

February 14, 2024: Revolution Recovery Park Inc.

Revolution Resource Recovery Park Inc., in Abbotsford, received two administrative penalties totaling $39,550 for contravention of Sections 6(2)(3) and (4) of the Environmental Management Act. The administrative penalties are for releasing leachate from their unauthorized waste material recovery business. The materials they receive and process include plastics, textiles, demolition debris, and other general commercial waste which is used as kiln fuel for cement production.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

February 5, 2024: Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure

The Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure (MOTI) received two administrative penalties totaling $21,500 for non-compliances related to its Dease Lake Landfill. The non-compliances included insufficient:

• Waste compacting and covering
• Litter control  
• Maintenance of the electric fence voltage for protection of wildlife and landfill users

MOTI received 3 advisories and 1 warning from 2013- 2020 for the waste compacting, covering and litter issues. They received 3 advisories and 2 warnings for the electric fence maintenance issue from 2013-2021.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

January 23, 2024: Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd.

Copper Mountain Mine received two administrative penalties totaling $45,526 for non-compliances related to unauthorized discharges from a seepage dam from November 2019 to April 2020 and an adit from January to February 2020 and again in November 2020.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

January 23, 2024: Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd.

Copper Mountain Mine received a $22,272 administrative penalty for non-compliances including seven exceedances of the authorized monthly nitrate discharge limit. Exceedances were 33%-34% over authorized limits.

Administrative penalty

---

January 23, 2024: Copper Mountain Mine (BC) Ltd.

Copper Mountain Mine received a $24,000 administrative penalty for non-compliances including nineteen exceedances of the authorized discharge limits for total copper.  Eight of these exceedances, occurring from April 20 to 27, 2021, ranged from 125% to 4,500% over the authorized limit.

Administrative penalty

---

January 17, 2024: Highvista Capital Corporation (Highvista) and Linceo Media Group Inc. (LMGI)

Highvista and LMGI received 3 administrative penalties totaling $101,000 for failing to comply with requirements in a Pollution Prevention Order issued to them on December 1, 2020. The non-compliances included failing to:

• Immediately begin required sampling and monitoring
• Implement the recommendations made in the monitoring and mitigation plan as submitted to the Ministry on February 26, 2021
• Provide monthly update reports on progress with the monitoring and mitigation plans

Administrative penalty 1, 2, 3

---

January 17, 2024: Highvista Capital Corporation (Highvista) and Linceo Media Group Inc. (LMGI)

Highvista and LMGI received a $75,000 administrative penalty for discharging mine impacted effluent without an authorization between April 27, 2021 and August 22, 2023.

Administrative penalty

---

January 10, 2024: Aldo John Venier dba Deer Ridge Estates

Deer Ridge Estates received two administrative penalties totaling $43,600 for non-compliances which included failing to:

• Notify the ministry before making changes to the treatment process that could affect the quality and/or quantity of the discharge
• Notify the ministry before construction of new phases of the development
• Do required flow monitoring and take grab samples on multiple occasions

They received a warning for the same issues in 2020.

Administrative penalty 1, 2

---

January 9, 2024: Catalyst Paper Corporation and Catalyst Pulp Operations Limited, dba Catalyst Paper

Catalyst Paper received a $25,500 administrative penalty for non-compliances which included :

• Exceeding the maximum discharge rate
• Failing two acute toxicity tests
• Failing to maintain the authorized equipment in good working order

Administrative penalty

---

January 2, 2024: 100 Mile Feed & Ranch Supply Ltd.

100 Mile Feed & Ranch Supply Ltd. received a $7,840 administrative penalty for not having a license to sell commercial and domestic pesticides as required under the Integrated Pest Management Act. They received a warning for the same non-compliance in 2021.

Administrative penalty

2023 compliance year in review infographic (PDF, 8.8MB)

Environmental Management and Pest Management Acts

Inspections

• 805 inspections done by 30 inspectors

Compliance responses

• 211 notices of compliance, 268 advisories, 280 warnings, 45 administrative penalties, 1 investigation referral

Complaints by discharge type

• Effluent 288, refuse 209, odour 74, air emissions 117, pesticides 96
• 784 complaints with 94% responded to within 7 days

Administrative penalties levied totaled $17,211,591

Administrative penalties levied per sector:

Integrated Environmental Enforcement Unit

An equal partnership between the environmental protection division and the conservation officer service that investigates significant complex environmental offences and pursues both prosecution and administrative enforcement responses.

4 officers responsible for:

• 8 active investigations
• 1 completed administrative penalty
• 2 completed investigations

2022 compliance year in review infographic (PDF, 5.4MB)

Environmental Management and Pest Management Acts

Inspections

• 912 inspections done by 25 inspectors

Compliance responses

• 270 notices of compliance, 370 advisories, 221 warnings, 50 administrative penalties, 1 investigation referral

Complaints by discharge type

• Effluent 357, refuse 350, odour 159, air emissions 146, pesticides 117
• 1,129 complaints with 97% responded to within 7 days

Administrative penalties levied totaled $2,239,101

Administrative penalties levied per sector by percent:

Integrated Environmental Enforcement Unit

New in 2022, this unit is an equal partnership between the environmental protection division and the conservation officer service that investigates significant complex environmental offences and pursues both prosecution and administrative enforcement responses.

3 officers responsible for:

• 4 active investigations
• 1 completed administrative penalty
• 2 completed investigations

2021 compliance year in review infographic (PDF, 247KB)

Environmental Management Act

Inspections

• 932 inspections done by 18 inspectors

Complaints by discharge type

• Effluent 287, refuse 175, odour 242, air emissions 165

Complaints by region

• South Coast 356, Thompson-Okanagan 220, West Coast 168, Kootenay-Boundary 41, Omineca-Peace 41, Cariboo 16, Skeena 15, Northeast 12
• 869 complaints with 90% responded to within 7 days

Integrated Pest Management Act

Inspections

• 245 inspections done by 4 inspectors

Complaints by region

• South Coast 61, West Coast 36, Thompson-Okanagan 29, Kootenay-Boundary 5, Unknown 3, Skeena 2, Northeast 1, Omineca-Peace 1
• 139 complaints with 95% responded to within 7 days