Frequently asked questions

The Quarterlies are static PDF reports that summarize enforcement actions in the given-three month period. Significant enforcement actions are featured at the beginning of the reports to help readers find notable incidents and responses that occurred during that quarter.

The NR C&E Database is an online application that allows users to search the enforcement actions published in the Quarterlies.

By the authority of the Ministry of Environment Act, the ministry may publish the names of individuals that have been sanctioned under Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy or Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development legislation.

For offenses outside of the range of this authority, the guilty party is recorded as “individual” to assure the protection of privacy.

The ministry protects privacy in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). FOIPPA does not prohibit the release of business names.

Publication of names depends on the statute under which the person was sanctioned.

By the authority of the Ministry of Environment Act, the ministry may publish the names of individuals that have been sanctioned under Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV) or Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNR) legislation.

For offenses outside of the range of this authority (that is, statutes other than those under the responsibility of ENV or FLNR), the guilty party is recorded as “individual” to assure the protection of privacy.

The ministry protects privacy in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA). FOIPPA does not prohibit the release of business names.

The Quarterlies and the NR C&E Database include actions taken by:

• The Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy (ENV)
• The Environmental Assessment Office (EAO)
• The Agricultural Land Commission
• Parts of the Ministry of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development (FLNR)

These actions include:

• Orders issued under the Agricultural Land Commission Act, Dike Maintenance Act, Environmental Assessment Act, Environmental Management Act, Integrated Pest Management Act, Park Act, and the Water Sustainability Act
• Administrative sanctions issued under the Environmental Management Act, Integrated Pest Management Act and the Wildlife Act.
• Violation tickets deemed guilty and that were issued by the Conservation Officer Service and BC Park Rangers
• Administrative penalties issued under the Agricultural Land Commission Act, Environmental Management Act, Greenhouse Gas Industrial Reporting and Control Act, and the Integrated Pest Management Act
• Court convictions deemed guilty and where the investigation was led by the Conservation Officer Service
• Community Environmental Justice Forums facilitated by ENV
• Inspection records under the Environmental Management Act, including advisories, warnings and notices 

Environmental enforcement agencies will sometimes post documents on their own websites:

• Environmental Protection: Document Search
• Environmental Assessment Office: Project Information and Collaboration System
• BC Oil and Gas Commission: Publications and Reports, Compliance and Enforcement
• ENV, EAO and EMPR: BC Mine Information website
• Courthouse Services: Access Court Records, Pay or Dispute a Violation Ticket
• Provincial Court of British Columbia: Judgements & Decisions

For more information or help identifying the appropriate enforcement agency, contact: NRCED@gov.bc.ca.

See Report All Poachers and Polluters (RAPP).

Environmental emergencies

Report environmental emergencies to the Emergency Coordination Centre (EMCR)

Call 1-800-663-3456 toll-free in B.C.

The dispatcher will notify the appropriate Environmental Emergency Response Officer.

Environmental emergencies include hazardous or toxic spills, discharges, emissions, dike and dam failures, debris flows and floods. For more information, see Environmental emergency contacts.

Wildfires

Report wildfires to the BC Wildfire Service.

Call 1-800-663-5555 toll-free in B.C.
Cellular: Dial *5555

All calls are answered by BC Wildfire Service staff at the Provincial Forest Fire Reporting Centre. For up-to-date wildfire information and general contacts, see BC Wildfire Service.

Contact the officer or agency identified on the enforcement document.