Environment Canada reports that a dry cleaner in Edmonton, Alberta has been sentenced to imprisonment for offences in contravention of the Tetrachloroethylene (Use in Dry Cleaning and Reporting Requirements) Regulations of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA 1999).

Ali Eldin, owner of First Class Cleaners and Todd Cleaners, pleaded guilty to the offences on February 23, 2016, in Alberta Provincial Court. He becomes the first dry cleaner to face imprisonment under these regulations. He will serve a four‑month conditional sentence, in the form of 75 days of house arrest followed by a curfew, and an additional 60 hours of community service.

Tetrachloroethylene, commonly known as PERC, is used as a dry‑cleaning solvent, and is listed as a toxic substance under CEPA 1999. CEPA 1999 is an Act that addresses pollution prevention by regulating and managing the use of toxic substances.

The investigation took place between May 2013 and October 2014. During this period, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers conducted facility inspections that revealed evidence of improper storage and handling of tetrachloroethylene waste.

As part of his sentence, Eldin was also ordered to pay for and publish an article in a dry‑cleaning industry magazine outlining the facts relating to the commission of the offences and the details of the punishment imposed.

Dry‑cleaning businesses operated by Eldin have been the subject of two previous convictions for dry‑cleaning‑related offences.

http://www.ec.gc.ca/alef-ewe/default.asp?lang=En&n=7A3D50B3-1

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Manning Environmental Law is a Canadian law firm based in Toronto, Ontario. Our practice is focussed on environmental law, energy law and climate change law. 

Paul Manning is a certified specialist in environmental law. He has been named as one of Canada’s leading Environmental Lawyers by Who’s Who Legal: Canada and ranked by Lexpert as one of Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers.

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