Is your business emitting fumes or air into the environment?

If you take a look at the Environmental Bill of Rights registry in Ontario (ebr.gov.on.ca), where public notices are posted regarding applications for approvals, proposed changes to regulations, etc., you'll see that the vast majority seem to relate to Certificates of Approval (CofAs) for the discharge of air.  Operations such as feed mills and grain elevators may be required by the Ministry of the Environment (MOE) to obtain CofAs to allow for the discharge of particulate matter (dust) and gases related to the storage of materials. 

Here is another press release from the MOE about a recent guilty plea and conviction in connection with the discharge of fumes from a cabinetry business:

IRPINA KITCHENS FINED $4,000 FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH A PROVINCIAL OFFICER ORDER

NEWMARKET — On February 19, 2010, 1118741 Ontario Limited, operating as Irpina Kitchens, was fined $4,000 plus a victim fine surcharge after pleading guilty to one violation under the Environmental Protection Act.

The company is a manufacturer of custom kitchen cabinets and is located in Richmond Hill. On March 8, 2008, a Provincial Officer from the ministry conducted a proactive air inspection of the site to assess compliance. During the inspection, the Officer observed a paint and solvent mixing room containing a fumehood with a direct discharge to the environment. The fumehood did not have a Certificate of Approval for air. A Provincial Officer Order was issued on April 15, 2008 which required the company to submit an application to the ministry for a Certificate of Approval including all emission sources by June 20, 2008. The Order was not complied with.

The company was charged following an investigation by the ministry’s Investigations and Enforcement Branch. On September 30, 2009, an air approval application was submitted by the company to the ministry as required by the Provincial Officer Order.