FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — A subcontractor has been given a conditional sentence for his role in releasing sewage from oilsands work camps into a northern Alberta river.
Rodney McCabe, of British Columbia, was sentenced Friday to 11 months of house arrest and his company, R & D McCabe Ltd., was fined $6,000, the total amount of its assets.
Judge J.R. Jacques also prohibited McCabe from working in the wastewater industry for four years, and banned his company from the work for three years.
The offences occurred between September 2005 and January 2007 at Suncor's (TSX:SU) Millennium Lodge and Borealis facilities near Fort McMurray.
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McCabe's company was hired by Compass Group to operate the wastewater facilities at the camps.
Suncor was cited for failing to properly supervise Compass Group and both were fined in April for a combined $400,000 for charges involving the dumping of sewage into the Athabasca River.
Alberta Environment says an unknown amount of partially treated wastewater went into the river, but added there was no risk to public health and no environmental impact.
Susan McRory, environmental co-ordinator for Alberta Justice, noted McCabe's conditional sentence comes with strict conditions — he can't leave his house except for court, work, medical appointments and three hours a week for grocery shopping.
To ensure he abides by his conditions, McRory said his probation officers will be conducting random telephone checks and random visits.
"Judge Jacques was very strong. I had asked for jail, real jail, (but) Judge Jacques felt the taking away of his livelihood was enough punishment to allow him to have house arrest."
McRory also pointed out that work order covers all jurisdictions, meaning he and his company can't come back under a different business name.
"(Judge Jacques) basically said, 'you're out of business. Find another line of work,'" she added.
The court recognized McCabe had been in this line of work for 25 years.
Six charges had been laid against McCabe and his company under Alberta's Environmental Protection and Enhancement Act.
R & D McCabe pleaded guilty in March to two counts each of wilfully providing false and misleading information, wilfully failing to report under the approval and exceeding approval limits.
McCabe pleaded guilty to falsifying records.
(Fort McMurray Today)