May 31, 1999
(Environment and Labour)

Minister announces Environment Week - May 30 to June 5 and
increased penalties for environmental offences

Oliver Langdon, Minister of Environment and Labour, announced today that the week of May 30 to June 5 is Environment Week. Each year, the first week of June is celebrated nationally as Environment Week to draw special attention to environmental issues and to raise awareness to the importance of environmental protection, conservation and restoration.

"Government, industry, municipalities, citizen's groups and individuals all have important roles to play in protecting the environment," stated Minister Langdon. "I want to encourage all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to take an active part in Environment Week. There are numerous things you can do to improve the environment. For instance you can organize a community clean-up, have a tree planting day, participate in the local recycling program or start composting your household waste items."

An important role of the government, and particularly the Department of Environment and Labour, is to establish strong legislation with appropriate penalties for those who neglect to obey it. Accordingly, an amendment to the province's Environment Act was recently passed in the House of Assembly which establishes higher penalties for environmental offences. Penalties will increase from $25,000 per offence to a maximum of $1,000,000 per offence for corporations and from $1,000 per offence to $50,000 per offence for individuals. Each day will be considered a separate offence. These penalties came into force on May 27, 1999.

"The increase in penalties now brings Newfoundland and Labrador in line with other Canadian provinces and will be a significant deterrent to companies and individuals who might willingly violate provincial environmental legislation," said the minister. "I believe the change in penalties clearly demonstrates the commitment of this government to a healthy and pristine environment. We are sending a strong message that the protection of the environment is a priority."

Media contact: Sean Kelly, Director of Communications, (709) 729-2575.

1999 05 31              5:10 p.m.