On May 10, 2019 a transportation trucking company was fined $100,000 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge for discharging a contaminant into the natural environment contrary to the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act. In addition to the corporate fine the driver of the truck was convicted for one violation under the Environmental Protection Act for allowing the discharge of a contaminant into the natural environment and received a fine of $35,000 plus the 25% victim fine surcharge.
A cross-border transport trucking company picked up 12 stainless steel 1,500 kilograms totes full of a solvent identified as VORTEX WPM in Mississauga. The totes were not properly secured at the time of loading and the driver failed to confirm whether the totes were properly secured prior closing the trailer doors.
While travelling northbound on Highway 400 a vehicle swerved in front of the transport truck resulting in a rear end collision. Due to the totes being not appropriately secured, the hard braking caused the totes to shift forward and collide in the trailer. As a result of that collision, two of the totes were knocked open. Solvent spilled out of the trailer onto the highway and impacted the soil of a neighbouring construction site.
The solvent was highly flammable and due to a risk of explosion a one-kilometre excavation zone was established and all six lanes of the highway closed for approximately 10.5 hours allowing for the clean up.