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Ontario|EnvironmentalEnvironmental 369 What to do in the event of an accidental spill For most accidental spills, the laws of Ontario require that specific rules and procedures be followed. If you have control of a substance that spills and is likely to harm the environment, you must follow the procedures set out in the Environmental Protection Act.
- Reporting
First, you must report the spill to the Ministry of the Environment Spills Action Centre . This office is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is listed on the Legal Line Guide and website, and in the Blue pages of the telephone book. Second, you must report the spill to your municipality. And third, you must contact the owner or person in control of the spilled contaminant if they are not already aware of the spill.
There are also additional reporting requirements contained in various other laws which may apply to the situation. If you are dealing with a specific toxic substance, you can check with the Ministry or an environmental law lawyer to find out what regulations apply to your situation.
- Clean-up
After a leak or spill, the owner or person in control of the contaminant will usually be required to clean it up. In the event of a major spill, the Ministry may choose to handle the clean-up themselves. If necessary, the Ministry can sometimes enter a contaminated property even without the permission of the owner. After the clean-up, the Ministry will usually try to recover the cost of the clean-up from the owner or the person in control of the contaminant.
- Additional information
Additional information about handling spills can be obtained from the Ministry of the Environment, or from an environmental law lawyer.
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