The proprietor of an asbestos abatement firm has recently been sentenced to imprisonment for 45 days after he allegedly failed to abide by a court order issued under the National Environmental Policy Act while removing asbestos debris from one of his properties.
The Provincial Offenses court found that Christopher N Joyce ignored two former ministry orders to remove asbestos.
A recent press release from the Environment Ministry, the ownership of Joyce Energy Savings Co was taken over by Joyce in 2007 April. The company, which was being operated in Kingston area, was carrying out asbestos abatement services. Joyce Energy Savings removed asbestos materials from homes and commercial buildings and stored it in trailers.
According to the ministry, Christopher Joyce was personally responsible for placing the asbestos bags in trailers which were parked near his business place and residence (located at 374 Nelson Street, north of Concession St.).
The ministry says Joyce Energy Savings abandoned the trailers as it had financial issues. Afterward, the ministry identified 2 locations where dangerous asbestos debris was being stored illegally after following up on the complaints regarding the abandoned waste. One of those locations was the residence of Joyce where numerous asbestos bags and demolition debris were found.
According to the ministry, Joyce took complete responsibility for debris at both the locations. However, he wasn’t able to clean up and dispose it of properly in spite of 2 orders from the Environment Ministry over the past twenty two months.
Joyce admitted guilty in 2014 July to failing to abide by the order of the ministry. Court issued him fines and an order requiring him to clean up the asbestos debris to an authorized landfill within thirty days. But Joyce once again failed to meet the deadline set by the court and, after a probe by the Investigations & Enforcement Branch of the ministry, he was charged for failing to comply with the court order.
The ministry said Joyce Energy Savings is no longer functional.
Consequences of Asbestos Exposure
Asbestos exposure could result in an incurable cancer known as mesothelioma, in addition to other catastrophic medical conditions such as asbestosis and lung cancer.
Mesothelioma Claims
Though asbestos has been a regulated material in the U.S. since the 1980s, many people are still developing mesothelioma due to the long latency period of this cancer. By filing a mesothelioma claim against the responsible businesses, asbestos victims can win substantial compensation. Please call us at for a free consultation.