Alberta Environment and Parks said Monday charges have been laid against the Canadian National Railway Company in connection with a spill a year and a half ago.
In a statement, the government said the charges against CN relate “to the release of a substance into the environment on or about April 9, 2015, and failing to immediately report the release to Alberta Environment and Parks.”
The charges include releasing or permitting the release of a substance that causes or may cause a significant adverse effect, failing to report the release, failing to repair, remedy and confine the effects of the substance and failing to remediate, manage, remove or otherwise dispose of the substance and failing to provide information as required to the department and providing false or misleading information.
On April 9, 2015, Global News reported fire crews were dispatched to Buena Vista Park after reports of a spill in the North Saskatchewan River. Fire officials said they found diesel floating on the water and that because of icy conditions, crews were unable to contain the spill with a boom.
Alberta Environment and Parks said they could not confirm what substance was spilled because the matter is before the courts. However, the ministry did say the spill occurred in Edmonton.
CN’s next court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 21, 2016 in Edmonton.
Each offence carries a maximum penalty of $500,000.
Read below: Legal documents filed by Alberta Environment and Parks allege CN Rail committed environmental infractions with regard to a spill in Edmonton in 2015.
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