Bill C-16
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R.S., c. W-9; 1994, c. 23, s. 2(F)
CANADA WILDLIFE ACT
41. Subsection 2(1) of the Canada Wildlife Act is amended by adding the following in alphabetical order:
“Chief Review Officer”
« réviseur-chef »
« réviseur-chef »
“Chief Review Officer” means the review officer appointed as Chief Review Officer under subsection 244(1) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and includes any review officer designated under subsection 244(3) of that Act to perform the functions of the Chief Review Officer.
1994, c. 23, s.13
42. (1) Subsection 11(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Designation of wildlife officers and analysts
11. (1) The Minister may designate any person or class of persons to act as wildlife officers or analysts for the purposes of this Act and the regulations.
1994, c. 23, s.13
(2) Subsection 11(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Certificate of designation
(3) Every wildlife officer and analyst must be provided with a certificate of his or her designation as a wildlife officer, or as an analyst, as the case may be, in a form approved by the Minister and, on entering any place under this Act, the officer or analyst shall, if so requested, show the certificate to the occupant or person in charge of the place.
1994, c. 23, s.13
(3) Subsection 11(6) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Obstruction
(6) When a wildlife officer or an analyst is carrying out duties or functions under this Act or the regulations, no person shall
(a) knowingly make any false or misleading statement either orally or in writing to the wildlife officer or analyst; or
(b) otherwise wilfully obstruct the wildlife officer or analyst.
1994, c. 23, s.13
43. Subsection 11.1(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Analysts
(1.1) An analyst may, for the purposes of this Act, accompany a wildlife officer who is carrying out an inspection of a place under this section, and the analyst may, when accompanying the wildlife officer, enter the place and exercise any of the powers described in paragraphs (1)(a) and (b).
Conveyance
(2) For the purposes of carrying out the inspection, the wildlife officer may stop a conveyance or direct that it be moved, by the route and in the manner that the officer may specify, to a place specified by the officer where the inspection can be carried out.
44. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 11.1:
Right of passage
11.11 While carrying out duties or functions under this Act, wildlife officers and analysts, and any persons accompanying them, may enter on and pass through or over private property without being liable for doing so and without any person having the right to object to that use of the property.
Assistance
11.12 The owner or person in charge of a place being inspected under section 11.1, and every person found in the place, shall
(a) give the wildlife officer or analyst all reasonable assistance to enable the wildlife officer or analyst to carry out their duties or functions under this Act; and
(b) provide the wildlife officer or analyst with any information with respect to the administration of this Act that he or she may reasonably require.
Immunity
11.13 Wildlife officers, analysts and persons acting under a wildlife officer’s direction and control are not personally liable for anything they do or omit to do in good faith under this Act.
45. Section 11.4 of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:
Disposition par le ministre
11.4 Il est disposé des objets confisqués ou abandonnés au titre de la présente loi conformément aux instructions du ministre.
2001, c. 4, s. 128(E); 2004, c. 250, s. 118(F)
46. Section 11.5 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Liability for costs
11.5 If a thing is seized under this Act or under a warrant issued under the Criminal Code, the person who owned the thing at the time it was seized, the person who had charge or control of the thing immediately before it was seized and the person who possessed it immediately before it was seized are jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for all the costs of seizure, detention, maintenance and forfeiture, including any destruction or disposal costs, incurred by Her Majesty in right of Canada in relation to the thing in excess of any proceeds of its disposition, if any.
Meaning of “order”
11.6 For the purpose of sections 11.7 to 11.97 “order” means a compliance order issued under section 11.7.
Compliance order
11.7 (1) Whenever, during the course of an inspection or a search, a wildlife officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened by a person who is continuing the commission of the offence, or that any of those provisions are likely to be contravened, the wildlife officer may issue a compliance order directing any person who causes or contributes to the alleged contravention, or who is likely to do so, to take any of the measures referred to in subsection (2) that are reasonable in the circumstances and consistent with wildlife conservation and public safety in order to cease or refrain from committing the alleged contravention.
Specific measures
(2) The order may specify that the person to whom the order is directed take one or more of the following measures:
(a) refrain from doing anything in contravention of this Act or the regulations, or do anything to comply with this Act or the regulations;
(b) stop or shut down any activity, work, undertaking or thing for a specified period;
(c) cease the operation of any activity or any part of a work, undertaking or thing until the wildlife officer is satisfied that the activity, work, undertaking or thing will be operated in accordance with this Act and the regulations;
(d) move any conveyance to another location including, in the case of a vessel, moving the vessel into port or, in the case of an aircraft, landing the aircraft;
(e) unload or reload the contents of any conveyance; and
(f) take any other measure that the wildlife officer considers necessary to facilitate compliance with the order or to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat, including, but not limited to,
(i) maintaining records on any relevant matter,
(ii) reporting periodically to the wildlife officer, and
(iii) submitting to the wildlife officer any information, proposal or plan specified by the wildlife officer that sets out any action to be taken by the person with respect to the subject matter of the order.
Contents of order
(3) Subject to section 11.8, an order must be made in writing and must set out
(a) the name of the person or persons to whom the order is directed;
(b) the provision of this Act or the regulations that is alleged to have been or that is likely to be contravened;
(c) the relevant facts surrounding the alleged contravention;
(d) the measures to be taken;
(e) the time or the day when each measure is to begin or the period during which it is to be carried out;
(f) subject to subsection (4), the duration of the order;
(g) a statement that a request for a review may be made to the Chief Review Officer; and
(h) the period within which a request for a review may be made.
Duration of order
(4) An order may not be in force for a period of more than 180 days.
Failing to file report
(5) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person who commits an offence by failing to file a report required by this Act or the regulations is deemed to be continuing the commission of the offence each day that the report is not filed.
Statutory Instruments Act
(6) An order is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act.
Exigent circumstances
11.8 (1) In the case of exigent circumstances, an order may be given orally on the condition that it is followed, within seven days, by a written order issued in accordance with section 11.7.
Meaning of “exigent circumstances”
(2) For greater certainty, “exigent circumstances” includes circumstances in which the delay necessary to issue a written order that meets the requirements of subsection 11.7(3) would result in danger to human life or to the environment, including wildlife.
Notice of intent
11.9 (1) Except in exigent circumstances, a wildlife officer shall, whenever practicable, before issuing an order,
(a) provide every person who will be subject to the order with an oral or written notice of the officer’s intention to issue it; and
(b) allow a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for the person to make oral representations.
Contents of notice of intent
(2) The notice of intent to issue the order must include
(a) a statement of the purpose of the notice;
(b) a reference to the statutory authority under which the order is to be issued; and
(c) a statement that the party notified may make oral representations to the wildlife officer within the period stated in the notice.
Compliance with the order
11.91 (1) A person to whom an order is directed shall, immediately on receipt of the order or a copy of it or on being directed by a wildlife officer in an order given orally under subsection 11.8(1), comply with the order.
No bar to proceedings
(2) The issuance of or compliance with an order in respect of a person’s alleged contravention of this Act or the regulations is not a bar to any proceedings against the person under this or any other Act in relation to the alleged contravention.
Intervention by wildlife officer
11.92 (1) If a person to whom an order is directed fails to take any measures specified in the order, a wildlife officer may take the measures or cause them to be taken.
Access to property
(2) A wildlife officer or other person authorized or required by a wildlife officer to take measures under subsection (1) may enter and have access to any place or property and may do any reasonable thing that may be necessary in the circumstances.
Personal liability
(3) Any person, other than a person referred to in subsection 11.7(1), who provides assistance or advice in taking the measures specified in an order or who takes any measures authorized or required by a wildlife officer under subsection (1) is not personally liable either civilly or criminally in respect of any act or omission in the course of providing assistance or advice or taking any measures under that subsection unless it is established that the person acted in bad faith.
Recovery of reasonable costs and expenses by Her Majesty
11.93 (1) Her Majesty in right of Canada may recover the costs and expenses of and incidental to any measures taken under subsection 11.92(1) from any person who caused or contributed to the alleged contravention, to the extent of the person’s negligence in causing or contributing to the alleged contravention.
Costs must have been reasonably incurred
(2) The costs and expenses may only be recovered to the extent that they can be established to have been reasonably incurred in the circumstances.
Procedure
(3) A claim under this section may be sued for and recovered by Her Majesty in right of Canada with costs in proceedings brought or taken in the name of Her Majesty in right of Canada in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Recourse or indemnity
(4) This section does not limit or restrict any right of recourse or indemnity that a person may have against any other person.
Limitation period
(5) If events giving rise to a claim under this section occur, no proceedings in respect of the claim may be instituted more than five years after the day on which the events occur or become evident to the Minister, whichever is later.
Minister’s certificate
(6) A document purporting to have been issued by the Minister certifying the day on which the events giving rise to a claim under this section came to the knowledge of the Minister shall be received in evidence and, in the absence of any evidence to the contrary, the document is to be considered as proof of that fact without proof of the signature or of the official character of the person appearing to have signed the document and without further proof.
Request for review
11.94 (1) Any person to whom an order is directed may, by notice in writing given to the Chief Review Officer within 30 days after the day on which the person receives a copy of the written order or after the oral order is given, make a request to the Chief Review Officer for a review of the order.
Extension of period for request
(2) The Chief Review Officer may extend the period within which a request for a review may be made if, in his or her opinion, it is in the public interest to do so.
Variation or cancellation of order
11.95 (1) At any time before a notice requesting a review of an order is received by the Chief Review Officer, the wildlife officer may, after giving reasonable notice,
(a) amend or suspend a term or condition of the order, or add a term or condition to, or delete a term or condition from, the order;
(b) cancel the order;
(c) correct a clerical error in the order; or
(d) extend the duration of the order for a period of not more than 180 days less the number of days that have passed since the day on which the order was received by the person who is subject to it.
Notice of intent
(2) Except in exigent circumstances, a wildlife officer shall, whenever practicable, before exercising a power under paragraph (1)(a) or (d),
(a) provide every person who will be subject to the order with an oral or written notice of the officer’s intention to exercise the power; and
(b) allow a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for the person to make oral representations.
Contents of notice of intent
(3) The notice of intent to exercise a power under paragraph (1)(a) must include
(a) a statement of the purpose of the notice;
(b) a reference to the statutory authority under which the power is to be exercised; and
(c) a statement that the party notified may make oral representations to the wildlife officer within the period stated in the notice.
Regulations
11.96 The Minister may make regulations
(a) prescribing the form of reporting to wildlife officers under subparagraph 11.7(2)(f)(ii) and specifying the information required to be contained in or to accompany the report; and
(b) of either particular or general application, respecting representations made to wildlife officers under subsection 11.9(1) or 11.95(2).
Review
11.97 Sections 257 to 271 of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 apply, with any modifications that the circumstances require, to a review requested of any order.
2002, c. 29, s. 136(1)
47. (1) Paragraph 12(a) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(a) respecting the prohibition against entry, generally or for any specified period or purpose, by persons on lands under the administration of the Minister, or on public lands referred to in an order made under subsection 4(3), or on any part of those lands;
(2) Section 12 of the Act is amended by striking out “and” at the end of paragraph (i), by adding “and” at the end of paragraph (j) and by adding the following after paragraph (j):
(k) designating provisions of the regulations for the purposes of paragraph 13(1)(b).
1994, c. 23, s. 15
48. Section 13 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Offence
13. (1) Every person commits an offence who contravenes
(a) subsection 11(6) or 11.91(1);
(b) any provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under paragraph 12(k); or
(c) an order made by a court under this Act.
Penalty — individuals
(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $15,000 and not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $2,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $300,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $600,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
Penalty — other persons
(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500,000 and not more than $6,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $12,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $200,000 and not more than $8,000,000.
Penalty — small revenue corporations
(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 13.02 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $75,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $150,000 and not more than $8,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $2,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $4,000,000.
Relief from minimum fine
(5) The court may impose a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in this section if it is satisfied, on the basis of evidence submitted to the court, that the minimum fine would cause undue financial hardship. The court shall provide reasons if it imposes a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in this section.
Offence
13.01 (1) Every person commits an offence who contravenes
(a) any provision of the Act or the regulations, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 13(1); or
(b) an order made under this Act, other than an order the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 13(1).
Penalty — individuals
(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $200,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000.
Penalty — other persons
(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000.
Penalty — small revenue corporations
(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 13.02 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000.
Determination of small revenue corporation status
13.02 For the purpose of sections 13 and 13.01, a court may determine a corporation to be a small revenue corporation if the court is satisfied that the corporation’s gross revenues for the 12 months immediately before the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose — or, if it arose on more than one day, for the 12 months immediately before the first day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose — were not more than $5,000,000.
Deeming — second and subsequent offence
13.03 (1) For the purposes of subsections 13(2) to (4) and 13.01(2) to (4), a conviction for a particular offence under this Act is deemed to be a conviction for a second or subsequent offence if the court is satisfied that the offender has been previously convicted — under any Act of Parliament, or any Act of the legislature of a province, that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection — of a substantially similar offence.
Application
(2) Subsection (1) applies only to previous convictions on indictment and to previous convictions on summary conviction, and to previous convictions under any similar procedure under any Act of the legislature of a province.
Additional fine
13.04 If a person is convicted of an offence under this Act and the court is satisfied that, as a result of the commission of the offence, the person acquired any property, benefit or advantage, the court shall order the person to pay an additional fine in an amount equal to the court’s estimation of the value of that property, benefit or advantage. The additional fine may exceed the maximum amount of any fine that may otherwise be imposed under this Act.
Notice to shareholders
13.05 If a corporation that has shareholders is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court shall make an order directing the corporation to notify its shareholders, in the manner and within the time directed by the court, of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed.
Liability of directors and officers, etc., of corporation
13.06 If a corporation commits an offence under this Act, any director, officer, agent or mandatary of the corporation who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence and is liable on conviction to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual in respect of the offence committed by the corporation, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.
Directors’ duties
13.07 Every director and officer of a corporation shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the corporation complies with the provisions of this Act and the regulations and obligations and prohibitions arising from this Act or the regulations.
Fundamental purpose of sentencing
13.08 The fundamental purpose of sentencing for offences under this Act is to contribute, in light of the significant and many threats to wildlife and the importance of wildlife to the well-being of Canadians, to respect for the law protecting wildlife through the imposition of just sanctions that have as their objectives
(a) to deter the offender and any other person from committing offences under this Act;
(b) to denounce unlawful conduct that damages or creates a risk of damage to wildlife; and
(c) to recover wildlife and restore wildlife habitat.
Sentencing principles
13.09 (1) In addition to the principles and factors that the court is otherwise required to consider, including those set out in sections 718.1 to 718.21 of the Criminal Code, the court shall consider the following principles when sentencing a person who is convicted of an offence under this Act:
(a) the amount of the fine should be increased to account for every aggravating factor associated with the offence, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2); and
(b) the amount of the fine should reflect the gravity of each aggravating factor associated with the offence.
Aggravating factors
(2) The aggravating factors are the following:
(a) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to wildlife or wildlife habitat;
(b) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to any unique, rare, particularly important or vulnerable wildlife or wildlife habitat;
(c) the damage caused by the offence is extensive, persistent or irreparable;
(d) the offender committed the offence intentionally or recklessly;
(e) the offender failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence despite having the financial means to do so;
(f) by committing the offence or failing to take action to prevent its commission, the offender increased revenue or decreased costs or intended to increase revenue or decrease costs;
(g) the offender committed the offence despite having been warned by a wildlife officer of the circumstances that subsequently became the subject of the offence;
(h) the offender has a history of non-compliance with federal or provincial legislation that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection; and
(i) after the commission of the offence, the offender
(i) attempted to conceal its commission,
(ii) failed to take prompt action to prevent, mitigate or remediate its effects, or
(iii) failed to take prompt action to reduce the risk of committing similar offences in the future.
Absence of aggravating factor
(3) The absence of an aggravating factor set out in subsection (2) is not a mitigating factor.
Meaning of “damage”
(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a) to (c), “damage” includes loss of use value and non-use value.
Reasons
(5) If the court is satisfied of the existence of one or more of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2) but decides not to increase the amount of the fine because of that factor, the court shall give reasons for that decision.
Documents admissible in evidence
13.091 (1) A document made, given or issued under this Act and appearing to be signed by an analyst is admissible in evidence and, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, is proof of the statements contained in the document without proof of the signature or official character of the person appearing to have signed the document.
Attendance of analyst
(2) The party against whom the document is produced may, with leave of the court, require the attendance of the analyst who signed it.
Notice
(3) No document referred to in subsection (1) may be received in evidence unless the party intending to produce it has given to the party against whom it is intended to be produced reasonable notice of that intention together with a copy of the document.
Proof of offence
13.1 In any prosecution of an offence under this Act, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by an employee, agent or mandatary of the accused, whether or not the employee, agent or mandatary is identified or prosecuted for the offence.
Continuing offence
13.11 A person who commits or continues an offence under this Act on more than one day is liable to be convicted for a separate offence for each day on which the offence is committed or continued.
Offences involving more than one animal, plant or other organism
13.12 If an offence under this Act involves more than one animal, plant or other organism, the fine to be imposed in respect of that offence may, despite sections 13 and 13.01, be the total of the fines that would have been imposed if each of the animals, plants or other organisms had been the subject of a separate information.
Application of fines
13.13 (1) All fines received by the Receiver General in respect of the commission of an offence under this Act, other than fines collected under the Contraventions Act, are to be credited to the Environmental Damages Fund, an account in the accounts of Canada, and used for purposes related to protecting, conserving or restoring the environment or for administering that Fund.
Recommendations of court
(2) The court imposing the fine may recommend to the Minister that all or a portion of the fine credited to the Environmental Damages Fund be paid to a person or an organization specified by the court for a purpose referred to in subsection (1).
1994, c. 23. s. 15
49. (1) Paragraphs 16(c) and (d) of the Act are replaced by the following:
(b.1) directing the person to carry out environmental effects monitoring in the manner established by the Minister, or directing the person to pay, in the manner specified by the court, an amount for the purpose of environmental effects monitoring;
(b.2) directing the person to implement an environmental management system that meets a recognized Canadian or international standard specified by the court;
(b.3) directing the person to pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada an amount of money that the court considers appropriate for the purpose of promoting the proper management of wildlife or the conservation or protection of wildlife;
(c) directing the person to publish, in the manner specified by the court, the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;
(c.1) directing the person to notify, at the person’s own cost and in the manner specified by the court, any person aggrieved or affected by the person’s conduct of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;
(d) directing the person to compensate any person, monetarily or otherwise, in whole or in part, for the cost of any remedial or preventive action taken, caused to be taken or to be taken as a result of the act or omission that constituted the offence, including costs of assessing appropriate remedial or preventive action;
(d.1) directing the person to pay, in a manner specified by the court, an amount to enable research to be conducted into the protection or conservation of the wildlife or the wildlife habitat in respect of which the offence was committed;
(d.2) directing the person to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount to an educational institution including for scholarships for students enrolled in studies related to the environment;
(d.3) directing the person to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount to environmental or other groups to assist in their work in or for the community where the offence was committed;
1994, c. 23. s. 15
(2) Paragraph 16(g) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(g) requiring the person to comply with any other conditions that the court considers appropriate in the circumstances for securing the person’s good conduct and for deterring the person and any other persons from committing offences under this Act;
(3) Section 16 of the Act is amended by adding the following after paragraph 16(h):
(i) requiring the person to surrender to the Minister any permit or other authorization issued under this Act to the person; and
(j) prohibiting the person from applying for any new permit or other authorization under this Act during any period that the court considers appropriate.
50. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 16:
Coming into force and duration of order
16.1 An order made under section 16 comes into force on the day on which it is made or on any other day that the court may determine and shall not continue in force for more than three years after that day unless the court provides otherwise in the order.
Publication
16.2 If a person fails to comply with an order made under paragraph 16(c), the Minister may, in the manner that the court directed the person to do so, publish the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed and recover the costs of publication from the person.
Debt due to Her Majesty
16.3 If the court makes an order under paragraph 16(b.3) or (d) directing a person to pay an amount to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or if the Minister incurs publication costs under section 16.2, the amount or the costs, as the case may be, constitute a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Enforcement
16.4 If the court makes an order under paragraph 16(d) directing a person to pay an amount to another person, other than to Her Majesty in right of Canada, and the amount is not paid without delay, that other person may, by filing the order, enter as a judgment, in the superior court of the province in which the trial was held, the amount ordered to be paid, and that judgment is enforceable against the person who was directed to pay the amount in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.
Cancellation or suspension of permits, etc.
16.5 If the court makes an order under paragraph 16(i), any permit or other authorization to which the order relates is cancelled unless the court makes an order suspending it for any period that the court considers appropriate.
1994, c. 23, s. 15
51. Section 18 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Limitation period
18. No proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under this Act may be instituted more than five years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose, unless the prosecutor and the defendant agree that they may be instituted after the five years.
Publication of information about contraventions
18.1 (1) For the purpose of encouraging compliance with this Act and the regulations, the Minister shall maintain, in a registry accessible to the public, information about all convictions of corporations for offences under this Act.
Retention
(2) Information in the registry is to be maintained for a minimum of five years.
Minister may refuse or suspend permit, etc.
18.2 The Minister may refuse to issue a permit or other authorization under this Act, or may amend, suspend or cancel such a permit or other authorization, if the applicant or the holder has been convicted of an offence under this Act.
Contraventions Act
18.3 If an offence under this Act is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act, subsection 8(5) of that Act does not apply in respect of the fine that may be established for that contravention.
Review
18.4 (1) The Minister shall, 10 years after the day on which this section comes into force and every 10 years after that, undertake a review of sections 13 to 18.3.
Report to Parliament
(2) The Minister shall, no later than one year after the day on which the review is undertaken, cause a report on the review to be tabled in each House of Parliament.
1999, c. 33
CANADIAN ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT, 1999
52. Subsection 159(3) of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 is replaced by the following:
Detention of vehicles or engines
(3) The Minister may not detain any vehicle, engine, equipment or component for more than 90 days after completion of the tests conducted under subsection (2) unless, before that time, proceedings have been instituted in respect of an offence related to the vehicle, engine, equipment or component, in which case it may be detained until the proceedings are concluded.
53. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 217:
Immunity
217.1 Enforcement officers and analysts are not personally liable for anything they do or omit to do in good faith while carrying out duties or exercising powers under this Act, including any failure to exercise a discretionary authority.
54. (1) Subsection 218(7) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Stopping and detaining conveyances
(7) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time, direct that any conveyance be stopped — or be moved by the route and in the manner that the officer may specify, to a place specified by the officer where an inspection can be carried out — and the officer may, for a reasonable time, detain any conveyance, platform or other structure.
Moving and detaining shipping containers
(7.1) For the purposes of this Act and the regulations, an enforcement officer may, at any reasonable time, direct that any shipping container be moved to a place specified by the officer and the officer may, for a reasonable time, detain the container.
(2) Subsection 218(11) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Disposition of samples
(11) An enforcement officer may dispose a sample taken under paragraph (10)(d) in any manner that the enforcement officer considers appropriate.
55. Subsection 220(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Warrant for seizure of ships, etc.
(2) If on ex parte application a justice is satisfied by information on oath that there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence under this Act has been committed by an owner of any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure, the justice may issue a warrant authorizing an enforcement officer, or authorizing any other person named in the warrant, to seize the ship, aircraft, platform or structure anywhere in Canada and, in the case of a ship, platform or structure, within Canadian waters.
56. Subsection 222(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Seized ship, etc., to be returned unless proceedings instituted
(2) Anything referred to in subsection (1) that has been seized under section 220, or any security given to the Minister under subsection (1), shall be returned or paid to the person from whom the thing was seized within 30 days after the seizure unless, before the expiry of those 30 days, proceedings are instituted in respect of an offence under this Act alleged to have been committed by the owner of the thing.
57. Subsection 225(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Detention of ships
225. (1) If an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that the owner or master of a ship has committed an offence under this Act and that a ship was used in connection with the commission of the offence, the enforcement officer may make a detention order in respect of the ship.
58. Section 226 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Right of passage
226. While carrying out powers, duties or functions under this Act, enforcement officers and analysts, and any persons accompanying them, may enter on and pass through or over private property without being liable for doing so and without any person having the right to object to that use of the property.
59. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 228:
Liability for Costs
Liability for costs
228.1 If a thing is seized under this Act, the person who owned the thing at the time it was seized, the person who had charge or control of the thing immediately before it was seized and the person who possessed it immediately before it was seized are jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for all the costs of seizure, detention, maintenance and forfeiture, including any destruction or disposal costs, incurred by Her Majesty in right of Canada in relation to the thing in excess of any proceeds of its disposition, if any.
60. Section 231 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Court may order forfeiture
231. If the owner of any ship, aircraft, platform or other structure has been convicted of an offence under this Act, the convicting court may, if the ship, aircraft, platform or structure was seized under section 220 or subsection 223(1), in addition to any other penalty imposed, order that the ship, aircraft, platform or structure, or any security given under subsection 222(1), be forfeited, and on the making of such an order the ship, aircraft, platform, structure or security is forfeited to Her Majesty in right of Canada.
61. (1) Subsection 235(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Order
235. (1) Whenever, during the course of an inspection or a search, an enforcement officer has reasonable grounds to believe that any provision of this Act or the regulations has been contravened in the circumstances described in subsection (2) by a person who is continuing the commission of the offence, or that any of those provisions are likely to be contravened in the circumstances described in that subsection, the enforcement officer may issue an environmental protection compliance order directing any person described in subsection (3) to take any of the measures referred to in subsection (4) and, if applicable, subsection (5) that are reasonable in the circumstances and consistent with the protection of the environment and public safety, in order to cease or refrain from committing the alleged contravention.
(2) Subsection 235(3) of the Act is amended by striking out “or” at the end of paragraph (a), by adding “or’’ at the end of paragraph (b) and by adding the following after paragraph (b):
(c) any person who is likely to cause or contribute to the alleged contravention.
(3) The portion of subsection 235(4) of the English version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Specific measures
(4) For the purposes of subsection (1), an order in relation to an alleged contravention of any provision of this Act or the regulations may specify that the person to whom the order is directed take one or more of the following measures:
(4) Paragraphs 235(4)(c) and (d) of the French version of the Act are replaced by the following:
c) cesser l’exercice d’une activité ou l’exploitation d’une partie notamment d’un ouvrage ou d’une entreprise jusqu’à ce que l’agent de l’autorité soit convaincu qu’ils sont conformes à la présente loi et aux règlements;
d) déplacer un moyen de transport vers un autre lieu, y compris faire entrer un navire au port ou faire atterrir un aéronef;
(5) The portion of paragraph 235(4)(f) of the Act before subparagraph (i) is replaced by the following:
(f) take any other measure that the enforcement officer considers necessary to facilitate compliance with the order — or to restore the components of the environment damaged by the alleged contravention or to protect the components of the environment put at risk by the alleged contravention — including
(6) Paragraph 235(6)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) the provision of this Act or the regulations that is alleged to have been or that is likely to be contravened;
(7) Paragraphs 235(6)(d) and (e) of the Act are replaced by the following:
(d) the measures to be taken;
(e) the time or the day when each measure is to begin or the period during which it is to be carried out;
(8) Subsection 235(7) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Duration of order
(7) An order may not be in force for a period of more than 180 days.
Failing to file report
(8) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person who commits an offence by failing to file a report required by this Act or the regulations is deemed to be continuing the commission of the offence each day that the report is not filed.
Statutory Instruments Act
(9) An order is not a statutory instrument for the purposes of the Statutory Instruments Act.
62. Subsection 236(1) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:
Exigent circumstances
236. (1) In the case of exigent circumstances, an order may be given orally on the condition that it is followed, within seven days, by a written order issued in accordance with section 235.
63. Paragraph 237(1)(b) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) allow a reasonable opportunity in the circumstances for every such person to make oral representations.
64. Subsection 238(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
No bar to proceedings
(2) The issuance of or compliance with an order in respect of a person’s alleged contravention of this Act or the regulations is not a bar to any proceedings against the person under this or any other Act in relation to the alleged contravention.
65. (1) Subsection 239(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Intervention by enforcement officer
239. (1) If any person to whom an order is directed fails to take any measures specified in the order, an enforcement officer may take the measures or cause them to be taken.
(2) Subsection 239(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Personal liability
(3) Any person, other than a person described in subsection 235(3), who provides assistance or advice in taking the measures specified in an order or who takes any measures authorized or required by an enforcement officer under subsection (1) is not personally liable either civilly or criminally in respect of any act or omission in the course of providing assist- ance or advice or taking any measures under that subsection unless it is established that the person acted in bad faith.
66. (1) Subsection 240(3) of the English version of the Act is replaced by the following:
Liability
(3) The persons referred to in subsection (1) are jointly and severally, or solidarily, liable for the costs and expenses referred to in that subsection.
(2) Subsections 240(5) and (6) of the French version of the Act are replaced by the following:
Poursuites
(5) Sa Majesté du chef du Canada peut recouvrer les créances, ainsi que les dépens afférents, par action en recouvrement devant tout tribunal compétent.
Recours contre des tiers et indemnité
(6) Le présent article ne limite pas les recours contre les tiers ni le droit à une indemnité.
67. (1) The portion of subsection 241(1) of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Variation or cancellation of order
241. (1) At any time before a notice requesting a review of an order is received by the Chief Review Officer, the enforcement officer may, after giving reasonable notice,
(2) The portion of subsection 241(3) of the French version of the Act before paragraph (a) is replaced by the following:
Teneur de l’avis d’intention
(3) L’avis d’intention quant à l’exercice des pouvoirs prévus à l’alinéa (1)a) doit préciser les trois éléments suivants :
68. Section 247 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Knowledge
247. A person is not eligible to be appointed as a review officer unless the person is knowledgeable about the conservation and protection of the Canadian environment, environmental and human health, administrative law as it relates to environmental regulation or traditional aboriginal ecological knowledge.
69. Section 257 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Review
257. On receipt of a request made under subsection 256(1), the Chief Review Officer shall conduct a review of the order, including a hearing, or cause a review and hearing of the order to be conducted by a review officer, or by a panel of three review officers, assigned by the Chief Review Officer. The Chief Review Officer may be a member of that panel.
70. Section 266 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Decision
266. The review officer or the panel, as the case may be, shall, within 15 days after the completion of the review of an order, render a decision, with written reasons, and provide all persons to whom the order was directed and the Minister with a copy of the decision and the reasons.
71. Section 267 of the Act is renumbered as subsection 267(1) and is amended by adding the following:
Rules for other Acts
(2) The Chief Review Officer may make rules under subsection (1) with respect to the review of orders made under any Act of Parliament that provides for the review of those orders in accordance with sections 257 to 271 of this Act.
2005, c. 23, s. 37
72. Sections 272 to 275 of the Act are replaced by the following:
Offence — persons
272. (1) Every person commits an offence who
(a) contravenes subsection 16(3) or (4), any of subsections 81(1), (2), (3), (4), (10), (11) and (14), 84(2) and 96(3) and (4), section 101, any of subsections 106(1), (2), (3), (4), (10) and (11) and 109(2), section 117 or 123, any of subsections 124(1), (2) and (3), 125(1), (2), (3), (4) and (5), 126(1) and (2) and 139(1), section 142 or 144, subsection 150(3) or (4), section 152, subsection 153(1), section 154, subsection 155(5), section 171 or 181 or subsection 185(1), 186(2), 189(1), 202(3) or (4) or 213(3) or (4), paragraph 228(a) or subsection 238(1);
(b) fails to comply with an obligation set out in section 70, 86, 95 or 111, subsection 169(1), 172(1), 179(1), 182(1), 201(1) or 212(1);
(c) contravenes a prohibition imposed under subsection 82(1) or (2), paragraph 84(1)(b), subsection 107(1) or (2), paragraph 109(1)(b) or subsection 186(1) or 225(4);
(d) contravenes a condition of a permission granted under paragraph 84(1)(a) or 109(1)(a);
(e) contravenes an interim order made under subsection 94(1), 173(1), 183(1) or 200.1(1);
(f) fails to comply with a direction given under section 99, 119 or 148;
(g) knowingly contravenes paragraph 228(b);
(h) contravenes any provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under section 286.1 for the purpose of this paragraph;
(i) contravenes an agreement as defined in section 295;
(j) contravenes an order, direction or decision of a court made under this Act;
(k) knowingly, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, provides any person with any false or misleading information, results or samples; or
(l) knowingly, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, files a document that contains false or misleading information.
Penalty — individuals
(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $15,000 and not more than $1,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $30,000 and not more than $2,000,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $5,000 and not more than $300,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $10,000 and not more than $600,000 or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both.
Penalty — other persons
(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500,000 and not more than $6,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $12,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $200,000 and not more than $8,000,000.
Penalty — small revenue corporations
(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 272.3 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $75,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $150,000 and not more than $8,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $2,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $4,000,000.
Offence — persons
272.1 (1) Every person commits an offence who
(a) contravenes any provision of this Act, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);
(b) fails to comply with an obligation arising from this Act, a requirement imposed under this Act or a request made under this Act, other than an obligation, a requirement or a request the failure to comply with is an offence under 272(1);
(c) contravenes a prohibition arising from this Act, other than a prohibition the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);
(d) contravenes a condition of any permission granted under this Act, other than a condition of a permission the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1);
(e) fails to comply with a direction given under this Act, other than a direction the failure to comply with is an offence under 272(1);
(f) contravenes any provision of the regulations, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272(1) or 272.2(1);
(g) negligently, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, provides any person with any false or misleading information, results or samples; or
(h) negligently, with respect to any matter related to this Act or the regulations, files a document that contains false or misleading information.
Penalty — individuals
(2) Every individual who commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $200,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $25,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000.
Penalty — other persons
(3) Every person, other than an individual or a corporation referred to in subsection (4), that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000.
Penalty — small revenue corporations
(4) Every corporation that commits an offence under subsection (1) and that the court determines under section 272.3 to be a small revenue corporation is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000.
Offence — failure to comply with designated regulations
272.2 (1) Every person who fails to comply with a provision of a regulation designated under section 286.1 for the purpose of this subsection commits an offence and is liable
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) in the case of an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations or to imprisonment for a term of not more than three years, or to both, and
(ii) in the case of a person, other than an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) in the case of an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations or to imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, or to both, and
(ii) in the case of a person, other than an individual, to a fine determined in accordance with the regulations.
Regulations
(2) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the method of calculating the fine in respect of the offence referred to in subsection (1) committed by individuals, other persons and corporations determined under section 272.3 to be small revenue corporations, which method may be based on a monetary range specified in the regulations.
Tradeable units
(3) If a person is convicted of an offence under subsection (1) by reason of having failed to comply with a provision that requires the remission or the cancellation of tradeable units described in regulations made under section 326, the court shall, in addition to any other punishment that may be imposed under subsection (1), make an order requiring the person to remit or cancel tradeable units of the type and number determined in accordance with regulations made under subsection (4) or, if there are no regulations made under that subsection, in accordance with subsection (5). In the case of an order to remit, the court shall specify in the order the name of the person or entity to whom the tradeable units are to be remitted.
Regulations
(4) The Governor in Council may make regulations prescribing the types of tradeable units described in regulations made under section 326 that a person may be required to remit or cancel in an order made under subsection (3) and the manner of determining the number of those tradeable units that the person may be required to remit or cancel.
Absence of regulations
(5) If there are no regulations made under subsection (4), the court shall require the person to remit or cancel tradeable units of a type and in the number that, in the court’s opinion, the person failed to remit or cancel.
Determination of small revenue corporation status
272.3 For the purpose of sections 272, 272.1 and 272.2, a court may determine a corporation to be a small revenue corporation if the court is satisfied that the corporation’s gross revenues for the 12 months immediately before the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose — or, if it arose on more than one day, for the 12 months immediately before the first day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose — were not more than $5,000,000.
Offence — ships
272.4 (1) Every ship commits an offence if it contravenes
(a) section 123, subsection 124(1.1), 125(1), (2.1) or (3.1) or 126(1.1) or (3);
(b) any provision of the regulations designated by regulations made under section 286.1; or
(c) any order or a direction made under this Act, including one made by a court.
Penalty — ships of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over
(2) Every ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $500,000 and not more than $6,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $1,000,000 and not more than $12,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $100,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $200,000 and not more than $8,000,000.
Penalty — other ships
(3) Every other ship that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $75,000 and not more than $4,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $150,000 and not more than $8,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not less than $25,000 and not more than $2,000,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not less than $50,000 and not more than $4,000,000.
Offences — ships
272.5 (1) Every ship commits an offence if it contravenes
(a) any provision of this Act that expressly applies to ships, other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272.4(1); or
(b) any provision of the regulations other than a provision the contravention of which is an offence under subsection 272.4(1).
Penalty — ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over
(2) Every ship of 7 500 tonnes deadweight or over that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $1,000,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000.
Penalty — other ships
(3) Every other ship that commits an offence under subsection (1) is liable,
(a) on conviction on indictment,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $250,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $500,000; or
(b) on summary conviction,
(i) for a first offence, to a fine of not more than $50,000, and
(ii) for a second or subsequent offence, to a fine of not more than $100,000.
Relief from minimum fine
273. The court may impose a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in subsection 272(2), (3) or (4) or 272.4(2) or (3) if it is satisfied, on the basis of evidence submitted to the court, that the minimum fine would cause undue financial hardship. The court shall provide reasons if it imposes a fine that is less than the minimum amount provided for in any of those subsections.
Deeming — second and subsequent offence
273.1 (1) For the purposes of subsections 272(2) to (4), 272.1(2) to (4), 272.4(2) and (3) and 272.5(2) and (3), a conviction for a particular offence under this Act is deemed to be a conviction for a second or subsequent offence if the court is satisfied that the offender has been previously convicted — under any Act of Parliament, or any Act of the legislature of a province, that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection — of a substantially similar offence.
Application
(2) Subsection (1) applies only to previous convictions on indictment and to previous convictions on summary conviction, and to previous convictions under any similar procedure under any Act of the legislature of a province.
Damage to environment and risk of death or harm to persons
274. (1) Every person is guilty of an offence and liable on conviction on indictment to a fine or to imprisonment for a term of not more than five years, or to both, who, in committing an offence under this Act,
(a) intentionally or recklessly causes a disaster that results in a loss of the use or the non-use value of the environment; or
(b) shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes a risk of death or harm to another person.
Criminal negligence
(2) Every person who, in committing an offence under this Act, shows wanton or reckless disregard for the lives or safety of other persons and thereby causes death or bodily harm to another person is subject to prosecution and punishment under section 220 or 221 of the Criminal Code.
Additional fine
274.1 If a person or ship is convicted of an offence and the court is satisfied that, as a result of the commission of the offence, the person — or, if the offender is a ship, the owner or operator of the ship — acquired any property, benefit or advantage, the court shall order the offender to pay an additional fine in an amount equal to the court’s estimation of the value of that property, benefit or advantage. The additional fine may exceed the maximum amount of any fine that may otherwise be imposed under this Act.
Notice to shareholders
274.2 If a corporation that has shareholders is convicted of an offence under this Act, the court shall make an order directing the corporation to notify its shareholders, in the manner and within the time directed by the court, of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed.
Limitation period
275. No proceedings by way of summary conviction in respect of an offence under this Act may be instituted more than five years after the day on which the subject matter of the proceedings arose, unless the prosecutor and the defendant agree that they may be instituted after the five years.
2005, c. 23, s. 41
73. Section 280 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Liability of directors, officer, etc., of corporation
280. (1) If a corporation commits an offence under this Act, any director, officer, agent or mandatary of the corporation who directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable on conviction to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual in respect of the offence committed by the corporation, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.
Liability of masters and chief engineers
(2) If a ship commits an offence under this Act and the master or chief engineer of the ship directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence, the master or chief engineer, as the case may be, is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable on conviction to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272.1(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.
2005, c. 23, s. 41
74. Subsection 280.1(3) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Liability of directors and officers — Division 3 of Part 7
(3) If a corporation commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, every director and officer of the corporation who directed or influenced the corporation’s policies or activities in respect of conduct that is the subject matter of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable to the penalty provided by this Act for an individual in respect of the offence committed by the corporation, whether or not the corporation has been prosecuted or convicted.
2005, c. 23, s. 41
75. Subsection 280.2(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Liability of master and chief engineer
(2) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, the master and the chief engineer of the ship are a party to and guilty of the offence, and are liable to the penalty provided for by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.
2005, c. 23, s. 41
76. Sections 280.3 to 280.5 of the Act are replaced by the following:
Duties of ship owners
280.3 (1) Every owner of a ship — and, if the owner is a corporation, every director and officer of the corporation who is in a position to direct or influence its policies or activities relating to conduct prohibited by Division 3 of Part 7 — shall take all reasonable care to ensure that the ship complies, and all persons on board the ship comply, with
(a) Division 3 of Part 7 and regulations made under that Division; and
(b) orders and directions of, and prohibitions and requirements imposed by, the Minister, enforcement officers and review officers in connection with obligations or prohibitions under that Division or those regulations.
Liability of ship’s owner — individual
(2) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division and the owner of the ship, other than an owner that is a corporation, directed, authorized, assented to, acquiesced in or participated in the commission of the offence, the owner is a party to and guilty of the offence and is liable to the penalty provided by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.
Liability of directors and officers of corporate ship owners
(3) If a ship commits an offence arising out of a contravention of Division 3 of Part 7, a regulation made under that Division or an order or direction of, or prohibition or requirement imposed by, the Minister, an enforcement officer or a review officer in connection with an obligation or prohibition under that Division or a regulation made under that Division, every director or officer of a corporation that is an owner of the ship who directed or influenced the corporation’s policies or activities in respect of conduct that is the subject matter of the offence is a party to and guilty of the offence, and is liable to penalty provided by this Act for an individual who commits an offence under subsection 272(1), whether or not the ship has been prosecuted or convicted.
For greater certainty
280.4 For greater certainty, section 283 applies to a person who is a party to an offence by reason of subsection 280.1(3), 280.2(2) or 280.3(2) or (3).
Direction binds ship
280.5 For the purpose of prosecuting a ship for contravening a direction made under section 225.1, any direction made under that section that is given to the master or a crew member of the ship binds the ship as though it had been given to the ship.
2005, c. 23, s. 42
77. Subsection 281.1(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Service on ship
(2) If a ship is charged with having committed an offence under this Act, the summons may be served by leaving it with the owner, master or any officer of the ship or by posting the summons on some conspicuous part of the ship.
Appearance at trial
(3) If a ship is charged with having committed an offence under this Act, the ship may appear by counsel or representative. Despite the Criminal Code, if the ship does not so appear, a court may, on proof of service of the summons, proceed to hold the trial.
78. Subsection 282(1) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Proof of offence
282. (1) In any prosecution of an offence under this Act, other than an offence under paragraph 272(1)(k) or (l) or an offence of contravening section 228 or an offence under 274, it is sufficient proof of the offence to establish that it was committed by an employee, agent or mandatary of the accused, whether or not the employee, agent or mandatary is identified or prosecuted for the offence.
79. Section 283 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Defence
283. No person shall be found guilty of an offence under this Act, other than an offence of contravening paragraph 228(a) or knowingly contravening paragraph 228(b), an offence under paragraph 272(1)(k) or (l) or an offence under section 274, if the person establishes that the person exercised all due diligence to prevent its commission.
80. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 286:
Regulations
286.1 The Governor in Council may, by regulation, designate provisions of regulations made under this Act for the purposes of paragraph 272(1)(h) and subsection 272.2(1) and paragraph 272.4(1)(b).
81. Section 287 of the Act and the heading before it are replaced by the following:
Sentencing
Fundamental purpose of sentencing
287. The fundamental purpose of sentencing for offences under this Act is to contribute, in light of the significant and many threats to the environment and to human health and to the importance of a healthy environment to the well-being of Canadians, to respect for the law protecting the environment and human health through the imposition of just sanctions that have as their objectives
(a) to deter the offender and any other person from committing offences under this Act;
(b) to denounce unlawful conduct that dam- ages or creates a risk of damage to the environment or harms or creates a risk of harm to human health; and
(c) to reinforce the “polluter pays” principle by ensuring that offenders are held responsible for effective clean-up and environmental restoration.
Sentencing principles
287.1 (1) In addition to the principles and factors that the court is otherwise required to consider, including those set out in sections 718.1 to 718.21 of the Criminal Code, the court shall consider the following principles when sentencing a person who is convicted of an offence under this Act:
(a) the amount of the fine should be increased to account for every aggravating factor associated with the offence, including the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2); and
(b) the amount of the fine should reflect the gravity of each aggravating factor associated with the offence.
Aggravating factors
(2) The aggravating factors are the following:
(a) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to the environment or environmental quality;
(b) the offence caused damage or risk of damage to any unique, rare, particularly important or vulnerable component of the environment;
(c) the offence caused harm or risk of harm to human health;
(d) the damage or harm caused by the offence is extensive, persistent or irreparable;
(e) the offender committed the offence intentionally or recklessly;
(f) the offender failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the commission of the offence despite having the financial means to do so;
(g) by committing the offence or failing to take action to prevent its commission, the offender increased revenue or decreased costs or intended to increase revenue or decrease costs;
(h) the offender committed the offence despite having been warned by an enforcement officer of the circumstances that subsequently became the subject of the offence;
(i) the offender has a history of non-compliance with federal or provincial legislation that relates to environmental or wildlife conservation or protection; and
(j) after the commission of the offence, the offender
(i) attempted to conceal its commission,
(ii) failed to take prompt action to prevent, mitigate or remediate its effects, or
(iii) failed to take prompt action to reduce the risk of committing similar offences in the future.
Absence of aggravating factor
(3) The absence of an aggravating factor set out in subsection (2) is not a mitigating factor.
Meaning of “damage”
(4) For the purposes of paragraphs (2)(a), (b) and (d), “damage” includes loss of use value and non-use value.
Reasons
(5) If the court is satisfied of the existence of one or more of the aggravating factors set out in subsection (2) but decides not to increase the amount of the fine because of that factor, the court shall give reasons for that decision.
82. Subsection 288(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Conditions of order
(2) If an order is made under subsection (1) and the offender contravenes or fails to comply with it, or is convicted of an offence under this Act, the prosecutor may apply to the court to revoke the discharge, convict the offender of the offence to which the discharge relates and impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the offender had been convicted at the time the order was made.
83. Subsection 289(2) of the Act is replaced by the following:
Application by prosecutor
(2) If the passing of sentence has been suspended under subsection (1) and the offender contravenes or fails to comply with an order made under section 291, or is convicted of an offence under this Act, the prosecutor may apply to the court to impose any sentence that could have been imposed if the passing of sentence had not been suspended.
84. Section 290 of the Act is repealed.
85. (1) Paragraph 291(1)(d) of the French version of the Act is replaced by the following:
d) mener des études de suivi des effets sur l’environnement, de la façon que le ministre indique, ou verser, selon les modalités prescrites par le tribunal, une somme d’argent destinée à permettre ces études;
(2) Paragraphs 291(1)(g) and (h) of the Act are replaced by the following:
(f.1) directing the offender to pay to Her Majesty in right of Canada an amount of money that the court considers appropriate for the purpose of promoting the conservation or protection of the environment;
(g) directing the offender to publish, in the manner specified by the court, the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;
(h) directing the offender to notify, at the offender’s own cost and in the manner specified by the court, any person aggrieved or affected by the offender’s conduct of the facts relating to the commission of the offence and of the details of the punishment imposed, including any orders made under this subsection;
(3) Paragraph 291(1)(k) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(k) directing the offender to compensate any person, monetarily or otherwise, in whole or in part, for the cost of any remedial or preventive action taken, caused to be taken or to be taken as a result of the act or omission that constituted the offence, including costs of assessing appropriate remedial or preventive action;
(4) Paragraph 291(1)(m) of the Act is repealed.
(4.1) Paragraph 291(1)(p) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(p) directing the offender to pay, in the manner prescribed by the court, an amount to an educational institution including for scholarships for students enrolled in studies related to the environment;
(5) Paragraph 291(1)(q) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(q) requiring the offender to comply with any other conditions that the court considers appropriate in the circumstances for securing the offender’s good conduct and for deterring the offender and any other person from committing offences under this Act;
(r) requiring the offender to surrender to the Minister any permit or other authorization issued under this Act to the offender; and
(s) prohibiting the offender from applying for any new permit or other authorization under this Act during any period that the court considers appropriate.
(6) Subsections 291(2) to (4) of the Act are replaced by the following:
Publication
(2) If an offender fails to comply with an order made under paragraph (1)(g), the Minister may, in the manner that the court directed the offender to do so, publish the facts relating to the commission of the offence and the details of the punishment imposed and recover the costs of publication from the offender.
Debt due to Her Majesty
(3) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(f.1) or (k) directing an offender to pay an amount to Her Majesty in right of Canada, or if the Minister incurs publication costs under subsection (2), the amount or the costs, as the case may be, constitute a debt due to Her Majesty in right of Canada and may be recovered in any court of competent jurisdiction.
Enforcement
(4) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(k) directing an offender to pay an amount to a person, other than to Her Majesty in right of Canada, and the amount is not paid without delay, the person may, by filing the order, enter as a judgment, in the superior court of the province in which the trial was held, the amount ordered to be paid, and that judgment is enforceable against the offender in the same manner as if it were a judgment rendered against the offender in that court in civil proceedings.
Cancellation or suspension of permits, etc.
(5) If the court makes an order under paragraph (1)(r), any permit or other authorization to which the order relates is cancelled unless the court makes an order suspending it for any period that the court considers appropriate.
Coming into force and duration of order
(6) An order made under subsection (1) comes into force on the day on which it is made or on any other day that the court may determine and shall not continue in force for more than three years after that day unless the court provides otherwise in the order.
85.1 The Act is amended by adding the following after section 292:
Compensation for cost of remedial or preventive action
292.1 (1) A court shall not, under paragraph 291(1)(k), order an offender to compensate a person for the cost of any remedial or preventive action referred to in that paragraph if the person is entitled to make a claim for compensation for that cost under the Marine Liability Act or the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.
Compensation for loss or damage — property
(2) A court shall not, under subsection 292(1), order an offender to pay to a person an amount by way of satisfaction or compensation for loss of or damage to property if the person is entitled to make a claim for compensation for that loss or damage under the Marine Liability Act or the Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act.
86. The Act is amended by adding the following after section 294:
Application of fines
294.1 (1) Subject to regulations made under section 278, all fines received by the Receiver General in respect of the commission of an offence under this Act, other than fines collected under the Contraventions Act, are to be credited to the Environmental Damages Fund, an account in the accounts of Canada, and used for purposes related to protecting, conserving or restoring the environment or for administering that Fund.
Recommendations of court
(2) The court imposing the fine may recommend to the Minister that all or a portion of the fine credited to the Environmental Damages Fund be paid to a person or an organization specified by the court for a purpose referred to in subsection (1).
Publication of information about contraventions
294.2 (1) For the purpose of encouraging compliance with this Act and the regulations, the Minister shall maintain, in a registry accessible to the public, information about all convictions of corporations for offences under this Act.
Retention
(2) Information in the registry is to be maintained for a minimum of five years.
Minister may refuse or suspend permit
294.3 The Minister may refuse to issue a permit or other authorization under this Act, or may cancel such a permit or other authorization, if the applicant or the holder has been convicted of an offence under this Act.
Contraventions Act
294.4 If an offence under this Act is designated as a contravention under the Contraventions Act, subsection 8(5) of that Act does not apply in respect of the fine that may be established for that contravention.
Review
294.5 (1) The Minister shall, 10 years after the day on which this section comes into force and every 10 years after that, undertake a review of sections 272 to 294.4.
Report to Parliament
(2) The Minister shall, no later than one year after the day on which the review is undertaken, cause a report on the review to be tabled in each House of Parliament.
87. Paragraph 296(1)(b) of the Act is replaced by the following:
(b) the offence alleged to have been committed is an offence under this Act, except an offence
(i) in respect of the contravention of subsection 16(4), 81(1), (2), (3) or (4), 82(1) or (2), 84(2) or 96(4), section 99, subsection 106(1), (2), (3) or (4), 107(1) or (2), 109(1) or (2), 119(1), 148(1), 202(4) or 213(4) or section 227 or 228, or any obligation or prohibition arising from any of those provisions,
(ii) for failing to comply with
(A) an order or a direction made under this Act;
(B) an order, direction or decision of a court made under this Act; or
(C) an agreement, or
(iii) under any of paragraphs 272(1)(k) and (l) and subsections 274(1) and (2);
88. Section 297 of the Act is replaced by the following:
Sentencing considerations
297. If an information in respect of an offence of contravening an agreement has been laid and proceedings in respect of the alleged offence for which the agreement was entered into have been recommenced, the court imposing a sentence for either offence shall take into account, in addition to the principles and factors referred to in section 287.1, any sentence that has previously been imposed for the other offence.