This release was issued under a previous government.

Incident details

Canadian National Railway Company has been charged with six counts under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act  relating 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 under the Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act include:

  • releasing or permitting the release of a substance that causes or may cause a significant adverse effect, an offence contrary to section 109(2) of the act;
  • failing to report the release, an offence contrary to section 110(1)(a) of the act;
  • failing to repair, remedy and confine the effects of the substance and failing to remediate, manage, remove or otherwise dispose of the substance, offences contrary to sections 112(1)(a)(i) and 112(1)(a)(ii) of the act;
  • failing to provide information as required to the department and providing false or misleading information, both offences contrary to section 111(3) of the act.

The next court appearance is set for November 21, 2016 in Edmonton.

Alberta Environment and Parks focuses on education, prevention and enforcement to ensure all Albertans continue to enjoy a clean and healthy environment. When individuals or companies fail to comply with legislation, Environment and Parks has a range of options, depending on the offence, to ensure compliance with environmental regulations.