Sentence in R. v. PWGSC

OTTAWA, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - July 2, 2014) - The Department of Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC) was sentenced in the Ontario Court of Justice today to a fine of $300,000.00. PWGSC pled guilty on November 20, 2012 to three charges under section 148 of the Canada Labour Code of violating occupational health and safety requirements. The charges were laid following a boiler explosion that killed one employee and injured three others on October 19, 2010 at the Cliff Central Heating and Cooling Plant in Ottawa. PWGSC was fined $100,000.00 for each of the three counts, the maximum allowed, resulting in a total fine of $300,000.00.

The three counts to which PWGSC pled guilty under the Canada Labour Code are:

PWGSC did not provide necessary training and supervision in relation to the usage or operation of boilers at the Cliff Plant, contrary to section 124 of the Canada Labour Code, thereby committing an offence under s. 148(1) of the Code;

PWGSC failed to ensure that employees working at the Cliff Plant who have supervisory or managerial responsibilities were adequately trained in health and safety and were informed of responsibilities they have under the Code, contrary to section 125(1)(z) of the Canada Labour Code, thereby committing an offence under s. 148(1) of the Code; and

PWGSC failed to develop, implement and monitor, in connection with the policy committee, or the workplace committee or with the health and safety representative, a prescribed program for the prevention of hazards in the workplace appropriate to its size and the nature of the hazards in it, that also provides for the education of employees in health and safety matters, contrary to section 125(1)(z.03) of the Canada Labour Code, thereby committing an offence under s. 148(1) of the Code.

The Public Prosecution Service of Canada is responsible for prosecuting offences under federal jurisdiction in a manner that is free of any improper influence and that respects the public interest. The PPSC is also responsible for providing prosecution-related advice to law enforcement agencies across Canada.

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