Avjet Holding Inc, a company specializing in the distribution of aviation fuel, was ordered by the Court of Quebec to pay a fine of $200,000 for a petroleum product spill at the Natashquan airport.
The event occurred from January 17 to 18, 2023. The investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada law enforcement officers revealed that, during the delivery of fuel, a quantity of approximately 4,900 liters of the product have spilled into the environment. Two valves left open by an employee of Avjet Holding inc. as well as another faulty valve in the storage system filling cabinet were the cause of the release.
According to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999), releasing a petroleum product into the environment due to a leak from a tank or a spill from it is an offense under the Regulations on storage systems for petroleum products and related products.
As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Register of Environmental Offenders. The registry contains information on convictions of companies that have committed violations of federal environmental laws.
The sum of $200,000 from the fine will be paid to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund and will support projects that have a positive impact on the country’s natural environments.
