Moncton, New Brunswick
Court upholds pollution convictions
A Moncton judge has upheld the pollution convictions of the Fredericton-based engineering consulting firm Gemtec. Moncton Times & Transcript July 13/2007
Landfill clean-up too slow: Riverkeeper
Three and a half years after the City of Moncton received a court order to divert Jonathan Creek to reduce the impact of leachate from the former landfill sites, remediation work is still months away. Moncton Times & Transcript April 19/2007
River pollution costs firm $25,000
Judge fines Gemtec for charges stemming from clean-up of dump on banks of Petitcodiac River. Moncton Times & Transcript June 28/2006
Sentencing in landmark environmental law case
The Gemtec Ltd. conviction demonstrates that consultants who fail to incorporate environmental compliance into their advice to clients can and may be held accountable for their role in any resultant environmental offence. Environment Canada June 23/2006
Environmental consultant convicted after undertaking landfill closure
A recent decision of the New Brunswick Provincial Court highlights the potential liability of environmental consultants for pollution beyond their control. McLennan Ross Legal Counsel June 19/2006
Engineering firm guilty of polluting river
Guilty verdict for Fredericton engineering firm sends signal that “no one is above the law and that engineering firms are responsible when they give advice to clients, whether they’re private businesses or municipal governments.”
Moncton Times & Transcript April 27/2006
Gemtec found guilty of polluting river
The company hired to close Moncton’s city dump in the 1990s has been found guilty of violating the federal Fisheries Act. CBC News April 26/2006
Pollution trial hears final arguments
Final arguments were made today in the trial of Gemtec and its chief engineer Robert G. Lutes, who face accusations they violated the Fisheries Act.
Times & Transcript February 10/2006
Pollution charge doesn’t stick to Gemtec
Off on a technicality: the judge presiding over the case of an engineering consulting firm accused of polluting Moncton’s Jonathan Creek has thrown the charge out of court.
CBC News January 5/2004
Moncton dump trial adjourned indefinitely
The trial of a New Brunswick consulting firm and its chief engineer on charges of polluting the Petitcodiac River has been adjourned indefinitely pending a decision on a defence motion to dismiss the charges. Moncton Times & Transcript October 9/2003
Defence wants dump trial dumped
Provincial court Judge Yvette Finn will decide this morning whether there is still a trial going on for a New Brunswick consulting firm and its chief engineer, charged with polluting the Petitcodiac River. Moncton Times and Transcript October 6/2003
Witness found ‘leachate seeps’ at dump
One of the themes of the case is the fact that the City of Moncton hired Gemtec to devise a closure plan for the dump. Gemtec developed two solutions, one costing $2.3 million and the other $13.2 million. Moncton Times and Transcript October 6/2003
Consultant says river seeped into garbage
An environmental consultant says a Fredericton engineering firm charged with polluting the Petitcodiac River could have done a better job of sealing the old Moncton city dump. CBC online October 3/2003
Dump runoff killed fish: lawyer
Petitcodiac Riverkeeper executive director Daniel Leblanc says this trial will lead other consulting firms to rethink how they operate. CBC News October 2/2003
Dump ruling pleases minister
“We don’t want to have different laws and different applications for different people,” says Environment Minister David Anderson.
Moncton Times & Transcript September 27/2003
Green groups applaud pollution fine
Environmental groups across the country are applauding a New Brunswick court for fining the City of Moncton $35,000 for polluting the Petitcodiac River.
CBC September 23/2003
Moncton ordered to fix landfill that leaks poisons
A complaint by a local environmental group has resulted in the city of Moncton being fined $35,000 and ordered to spend up to $700,000 to improve an abandoned dump that discharged poisons into the Petitcodiac River. The Globe and Mail September 23/2003
Moncton pleads guilty in dump case
Judge imposes fines, levies totalling $35,000, and orders ‘remediation plan’ to stop the flow of dump effluent into Petitcodiac River, estimated to cost $500,000 to $700,000. Times & Transcript September 23/2003
City of Moncton pleads guilty in landfill case
The municipality of the City of Moncton has pleaded guilty to federal environmental charges related to a decommissioned landfill. Environment Canada September 22/2003
N.B. city facing pollution charges will stand trial in the fall
The City of Moncton will stand trial this fall on pollution charges under the federal Fisheries Act. CP Wire January 14/2003
City of Moncton, consultant plead not guilty to polluting river
The City of Moncton and a consultant have pleaded not guilty to charges of polluting the Petitcodiac River. Moncton Times and Transcript December 17/2002
Saving river ‘too controversial’ for students
Educational materials donated by environmental group Petitcodiac Riverkeeper enthusiastically accepted by French school board, but deemed ‘inappropriate’ by administration for District 2 English schools.
Moncton Times and Transcript September 20/2002
Petitcodiac: Gemtec et Moncton obtiennent un ajournement
Pour la troisième fois depuis le mois de mars dernier, la Cour provinciale a ajourné, hier matin, la cause portant sur un déversement dans la rivière Petitcodiac de lixiviat en provenance d’un ancien lieu d’enfouissement de Moncton.
L’Acadie Nouvelle September 13/2002
Pollution case adjourned again
“This matter has been before the courts since April and we still haven’t heard a plea,” said the judge. “In December it will have to be extraordinary circumstances for the court not to hear a plea, I’ll tell you that.” Moncton Times and Transcript September 13/2002
Petitcodiac River case delayed again
The judge expressed concern because the case has been before the courts since April and no plea has been entered. The parties will be back in court Dec. 16 to enter their plea. CBC September 12/2002
Petitcodiac council rejects maintaining river status quo
Town petitions environmental assessment group to take action.
Moncton Times and Transcript June 18/2002
Niles declines part in new river assessment
Scheduling conflicts make it impossible for Eugene Niles to play a role in new study of Petitcodiac River The Moncton Times and Transcript April 11/2002
Have politics been removed from river study?
A Page One article in the Times & Transcript of April 3 reports an interview with the Hon. Claudette Bradshaw, MP for Moncton, Dieppe, Riverview.
The Moncton Times and Transcript April 9/2002
City faces Fisheries Act charges
The City of Moncton’s lawyers will appear in court at 9:30 a.m. today to respond to charges the city violated the federal Fisheries Act.
The Moncton Times and Transcript April 3/2002
Get river study started, Bradshaw says
Get river study started, Bradshaw says; MP urges province to get going on environmental impact study of Petitcodiac River The Moncton Times and Transcript April 3/2002
River study behind schedule, but ‘progressing’
River study behind schedule, but ‘progressing’; Completion date for environmental assessment of Petitcodiac River and recommendations on future of causeway now likely Spring 2005 The Moncton Times and Transcript March 26/2002
Little data available on state of Petitcodiac
“Scientists lack even basic river information to determine best technique for environmental assessment.” Moncton Times and Transcript March 6/2002
‘First step’ in river study behind schedule
“Timelines for environmental assessment of Petitcodiac River, laid out in 2001, said workshop planned for this weekend should be completed by now, a facilitator named and public consultation under way.” Moncton Times and Transcript February 28/2002
City of Moncton, officials charged over toxic landfill leachate discharge
Eco/Log Week February 19/2002
Province applies to Ottawa for bridge project approval
“Protection of the environment and protection of the public right of navigation must be secured under Navigable Waters Protection Act.” Moncton Times and Transcript February 14/2002
Moncton charged with violating Fisheries Act
“The city is accused of unlawfully depositing a harmful substance into water inhabited by fish. The charge relates to a former city landfill located on the banks of the Petitcodiac River.” New Brunswick Telegraph Journal February 8/2002
Moncton polluted river
“Environment Canada lays charges against city, city engineer and consulting firm under federal Fisheries Act, saying leachate from old landfill site contaminated Petitcodiac River.” Moncton Times and Transcript February 8/2002
NB-Dump-Enviro-Canada
“Moncton Mayor Brian Murphy says he doesn’t believe the city has done anything wrong. He says it’s a concern for the image of the city.” Canada Press February 8/2002
City of Moncton & three others charged in connection with decommissioned landfill site Environment Canada lays charges following joint investigation by EBI and the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper. Environment Canada News Release February 7/2002
Keeping hope alive
“We must take optimism from the unfailing doggedness of those whose voices remain strong and committed to cleaning up this mess.” EBI assisted with the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper’s investigation of a leaking landfill.
Moncton Times and Transcript November 15/2001
Dump papers seized
“Environment Canada agents confiscate documents related to closure of old dump near Petitcodiac River.” Government action is prompted by a joint Riverkeeper/EBI investigation. Moncton Times and Transcript November 10/2001
Province in no hurry to break silt blockage in choked river
“Cabinet ministers, Moncton MLAs preach patience in river study.”
Moncton Times and Transcript October 5/2001
Silt raises flood risks
“Petitcodiac Riverkeeper vows court action to open causeway.”
Moncton Times and Transcript September 27/2001
Sewage pools in river
Odours most familiar when driving through the country have been greeting business people on their stroll to work in downtown Moncton this week
The Moncton Times and Transcript September 26/2001
Petitcodiac silt woes getting worse
“River almost completely clogged in some places.” Article quotes Daniel LeBlanc. Moncton Times and Transcript September 15/2001
River review mired in delay
“N.B. minister can’t get commitment for Petitcodiac EIA from Ottawa,” and Petitcodiac Riverkeeper Daniel LeBlanc says this may force the Riverkeeper organization to launch its lawsuit. Moncton Times and Transcript July 2/2001
Causeway gates to open for fish migration periods
“Gate management plan an interim measure in anticipation of environmental impact study.” Moncton Times and Transcript April 20/2001
Leaky landfill probe goes on
“Environment Department investigates whether old dumpsite is polluting Petitcodiac River.” Complaints by the Petitcodiac Riverkeeper, with the assistance of EBI, draw attention to the leaky landfill. Moncton Times and Transcript March 12/2001
Pressure mounts for river study
“Pressure is mounting to begin an environmental-impact assessment of the idea of replacing part of the Petitcodiac River causeway with a bridge.”
Moncton Times and Transcript March 9/2001
Waste no time with river study
“With the federal government announcement that it has accepted the report by Eugene Niles into what to do about the Petitcodiac River, it is now time to get on with the job — swiftly and decisively.” Moncton Times and Transcript March 9/2001
Causeway to be assessed
“More than 30 years after the Petitcodiac River causeway blocked the flow of the river, a full environmental assessment will be done.” Fredericton Daily Gleaner March 8/2001
Petitcodiac River issue fractures council
“Taking a stand on controversial river issue should make for a heated council session.” Moncton Times and Transcript March 5/2001
Moncton’s old landfill site under investigation
“Probe to determine if leachate is harming Petitcodiac River.” Article quotes Mark Mattson on the Moncton investigation. Moncton Times and Transcript February 22/2001
Environmental Bureau of Investigation 