If the answer is yes, the court convicts and imposes a penalty. If the environmental authorities believe that you have contravened the environment laws, they can either issue a warning, a clean-up order, or lay charges against you. In recent years, governments have significantly increased the fines under the environment statutes. For example, under the Fisheries Act and the Alberta environment act, the maximum fine can be as high as a million dollars. Environmental investigations by government Environmental investigators typically show up after someone complains about how a producer is running an operation.
Environmental investigators have significant powers of search and seizure.
If an investigator shows up at your door, you should co-operate with the investigation. However, you must keep in mind that, despite appearances, investigators are not there to help you. They are there to gather evidence that may ultimately be used in court to convict you of an offence. If this happens, treat it very seriously. You are best off not to provide a statement or answer any questions until you have spoken with a lawyer.