Toronto, ON – The City of Toronto was fined $60,000 yesterday for a violation of the Occupational Health and Safety Act after an asbestos violation.
On April 1, 2011, a Ministry of Labour inspector visited a renovation project at a building on Richmond St. E. owned by the City of Toronto. When questioned, workers did not know whether there was any asbestos containing material present at the site. A 2007 environmental audit on the building, commissioned by the City, confirmed the presence of asbestos containing material in the building. However the City had not provided the constructor with a copy of the report. There was no evidence that workers were exposed to asbestos.
The City of Toronto pleaded guilty to failing to provide a copy of the report to the constructor.
The fine was imposed by Justice of the Peace Wendy Agnew. In addition to the fine, the court imposed a 25-per-cent victim fine surcharge, as required by the Provincial Offences Act. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime