Maple Lodge Farms has been fined half a million dollars after a worker was “crucially” injured by a carbon dioxide leak at the Brampton company’s plant over two years ago.

The leak happened on March 16, 2024, when a hose carrying carbon dioxide from a vacuum blender burst at the Maple Lodge Farms’ poultry processing and packaging facility at 8301 Winston Churchill Blvd. in Brampton.

The appliance is used to cool some products during processing, and the leak caused the “uncontrolled” release of more than 16,000 pounds of the potentially deadly gas into the deli area, the ministry says.

One worker was “critically injured by carbon dioxide exposure,” the ministry says.

An investigation found there was no carbon dioxide sensor and alarm system to alert workers to any leaks, and the ministry said there “was a failure to take every precaution reasonable in the circumstances for the protection of a worker.”

The company has since installed a permanent carbon dioxide sensor in the area.

Maple Lodge Farms entered a guilty plea in the Provincial Offences Court in Brampton and was fined $500,000, the province says.

The court also imposed a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge as required by the Provincial Offences Act. Those funds are credited to a special provincial fund to assist the victims of crime.

Maple Lodge Farms has been in Brampton for more than 50 years, and held a grand-opening ceremony earlier this year at its new Chicken Shop, with an eat-in and takeout restaurant, new retail space and bulk factory outlet sales, and an outdoor seating area with green space.

Last 30 Days: 30,463 Votes

All Time: 1,484,651 Votes

3620 VOTES
Is the Canadian government handling the trade conflict with the U.S. well?


INsauga’s Editorial Standards and Policies

Win two tickets to The Great Outdoors Comedy Festival (GOCF)

Enter for an exclusive chance to win 2 tickets to Great Outdoors Comedy Festival (GOCF), a $500 Gift Card to Square One Shopping Centre, and a Visit Mississauga Swag Bag. The approximate retail value of the prize is $1,000.

“*” indicates required fields