Developer Fined $100,000 for Failing to Comply with Asbestos Waste Order

A property developer bought a vacant hospital site on which it planned to build a long term care facility. The MOL warned the developer that the building could possibly contain asbestos. The city and the MOL ordered it to retain an environmental consultant to ensure that no asbestos was discharged offsite and to properly remove asbestos waste from the property. The developer hired a consultant, who inspected the site and reported to the MOL that there was no asbestos on the property. But MOL staff collected samples, which tested positive for asbestos. The developer pleaded guilty to failing to comply with a ministry order involving asbestos waste in violation of the Environmental Protection Act and was fined $100,000 [Grace Village Windsor Inc., Govt. News Release, Oct. 21, 2014].