Penalties
 48. (1) Every person who, (a) commences cutting operations without the approval of the Minister under section 14, or carries on cutting operations beyond the limits of the area approved by the Minister under section 14, is liable to a penalty of an amount not less than the amount of the stumpage charges on the timber so cut and not more than five times the amount of such charges; (b) contravenes subsection 15 (1) or any order or direction made under section 28 or any regulation made under clause 53 (h) is liable to a penalty of an amount not less than the amount of the stumpage charges on the timber in respect of which such contravention occurred and not more than five times the amount of such charges; (c) except under a licence, cuts or employs or induces or assists any other person to cut Crown timber or removes or employs or induces or assists any other person to remove Crown timber is liable to a penalty of an amount not less than the amount of the stumpage charges on the timber in respect of which such contravention occurred and not more than five times the amount of such charges; (d) contravenes section 43 is liable to a penalty of an amount not less than twice the amount of the stumpage charges on the timber in respect of which such contravention occurred and not more than five times the amount of such charges; (e) contravenes section 19 is liable to a penalty of not less than $50 and not more than $5,000; (f) when in possession or control of any timber or any product manufactured therefrom, upon request refuses or fails to inform any officer or agent of the name and address of the person from whom the timber or product was received or of any fact within the person’s knowledge respecting the timber, is liable to a penalty of not less than $10 and not more than $500; (g) interferes with any officer or agent who seizes timber under this Act is liable to a penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $500; (h) removes or attempts to remove or interferes or attempts to interfere with any timber or any product manufactured therefrom after it has been seized under this Act is liable to a penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $500; (i) makes or takes advantage of any false statement or oath with respect to any matter under this Act or the regulations is liable to a penalty of not less than $100 and not more than $500; (j) contravenes section 47 or any regulation made under clause 53 (m) or (o) is liable to a penalty of not less than $25 and not more than $1,000 for the first contravention and to a penalty of not less than $50 and not more than $5,000 for each subsequent contravention; (k) fails to comply with a written notice issued under section 17 is liable to a penalty of not less than $25 and not more than $1,000 for the first failure to comply and not less than $50 and not more than $5,000 for each subsequent failure to comply. Demand for penalty (2) Where in the opinion of the Minister a person is liable to a penalty under subsection (1) or the regulations, the Minister may give notice to the person by registered mail, (a) setting out the facts and circumstances that in his or her opinion render the person liable to a penalty; (b) requiring the person to pay such penalty as the Minister considers proper in the circumstances; and (c) specifying the time within which the penalty shall be paid. Right of action (3) If a person fails to pay a penalty in accordance with a notice under subsection (2), the Minister may bring an action for the recovery of the penalty in a court of competent jurisdiction, and in such action it is the duty of the court, (a) to determine whether such person is liable to a penalty under subsection (1) or the regulations; (b) if it is determined that the person is liable to a penalty, to confirm or vary the amount thereof claimed by the Minister; (c) to give such judgment as it considers proper; and (d) to make such order as to costs or otherwise as it considers proper. R.S.O. 1990, c. C.51, s. 48. General