Lawyer appears in court on companies’ behalf
A lawyer representing Irving Oil Limited and Grant Enterprises 1984 Ltd. appeared in Woodstock Provincial Court on Tuesday, June 2, on behalf of clients, who are each charged with two offences under the Clean Environment Act.
The charges were first announced on April 29. They are related to a massive diesel fuel leak that was released over time from a fuel storage system at the Beardsley Road Irving. Since the leak was discovered in December 2024, more than 180,000 litres of diesel were recovered from the soil around the gas station.
The companies are charged under sections 33 (1) b and 5.3 (1) a of the Clean Environment Act.
Lawyer Matthew Hayes, KC, from McInnes Cooper, is representing both businesses. The companies return to Woodstock Provincial Court for plea on July 28 at 9:30 a.m. Crown Prosecutor in the case is Patrick Wilbur, and today’s proceedings were heard by Judge Rose Campbell.
The offences carry a potential fine of up to $1 million.
“Protecting the public and upholding the law are key priorities for our government,” said Public Safety Minister Robert Gauvin when the charges were officially announced by the province. “We will continue to take appropriate action when potential violations are identified.”
