Chapleau ON (2/15/2019) – Convicted – Missinaibi Headwaters Inc.
Court Location – Chapleau
Description of Offence – The conviction relates to establishing a sewage works without ministry approval.
Date of Offence – During the period beginning on or about November 15, 2016 and ending on or about June 25, 2018.
Date of Conviction – On January 9, 2019
Penalty Imposed – Missinaibi Headwaters Incorporated was convicted on one violation under the Ontario Water Resources Act, and fined $6,000 plus a victim fine surcharge of $1,500, with one year to pay the fine.
Background –
Missinaibi Headwaters Inc. operates the Racine Lake Campground which is authorized to occupy Crown land under a Land Use Permit issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry. The campground is located on Racine Lake, in the Unorganized Township of Racine, Sudbury.
On August 19, 2013, ministry staff conducted a site inspection and observed a Class 5 sewage works in operation, which had not been issued the required ministry approval.
Following the inspection, a report was forwarded to the company requiring that the sewage works be decommissioned and removed from the campground, and that the company establish a plan to address other problems connected to the works. Despite repeated follow-up by the ministry, the company failed to comply.
On July 4, 2016, a ministry order was issued to the company requiring that it submit an application for a ministry approval of the Class 5 sewage works.
On November 15, 2016, ministry staff conducted a follow-up inspection and noted that the original Class 5 sewage works had not been decommissioned and remained in use. In addition, a second Class 5 sewage works had been installed and was also in use on-site. No application had been submitted to obtain an approval for either works.
The ministry’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch investigated and laid one charge which resulted in one conviction.
Media Contacts Members of the media: Gary Wheeler Communications Branch 416 314-6666; Contact information for the general public: 416-325-4000 or 1-800-565-4923
