BELLEVILLE ON (9/8/2011) ? On July 5, 2011, James Sinclair and Sinclair Landing Inc, along with Bruce Brown and Brown Associates Limited, were convicted of numerous violations of Ontario?s Water Resources Act and later fined a total of $201,500.

The convictions relate to the construction of wells by Bruce Brown on behalf of Brown Associates at a Belleville property owned by Sinclair Landing Inc, of which James Sinclair is the Director.

While the wells did not cause adverse impacts to the local community and environment, it was found that they were constructed by an unlicensed well technician, records related to the wells were not submitted as required, wells were not properly abandoned and false or misleading information was received.

James Sinclair was fined $8,500 and sentenced to 15 days in jail and placed on probation for a year. Sinclair Landing Inc was fined $32,000. Bruce Brown was fined $35,000 and also placed on probation for a year. Brown Associates was fined $126,000. All parties were given 24 months to pay the fines.

The required well records have now been submitted and the property has been sold to a new owner who is working with the ministry and municipality to restore and redevelop the site.

Contact: Kate Jordan, Communications Branch, (416) 314-6666