Government Seeks Feedback on Monetary Penalties to Enforce Environment Act

Government is seeking feedback from Nova Scotians on proposed changes to the Environment Act that would allow new monetary penalties for companies that do not comply with environmental approvals.

The penalties would apply to people and companies with approvals for programs with industrial activities, asbestos, dangerous goods, municipal sewage, water treatment, solid waste and registered public water suppliers. The penalties would be levied by the department, rather than through the court system.

The province is encouraging those with approvals and the public to review a discussion document and submit comments by June 24. The document is available at http://novascotia.ca/nse/resources/public.consultation.asp .

Monetary penalties would provide more options when people and companies are not complying with terms and conditions of operating approvals or those for registered drinking water suppliers.