Chilliwack business fined for ‘major contravention’ of environmental regulations

Apr 7, 2026 | 5:06 AM

ABBOTSFORD/CHILLIWACK – A Fraser Valley business with locations in Chilliwack and Abbotsford has been fined nearly $20,000 for failing to abide by environmental regulations required under British Columbia law.

According to the text of an administrative penalty issued by the Ministry of Environment and Parks, within the Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch, Abbrsy Used Tires Ltd. received a $19,500 administrative penalty dated March 17, 2026, for failing to have an approved Extended Producer Responsibility Plan as required under the provincial recycling regulation.

The administrative penalty was addressed to Abbsry Used Tires Ltd., a tire retailer and distributor that also offers tire and wheel repair services, at 45575 Yale Road in Chilliwack.

The province wrote in its administrative penalty online filings that an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Plan is mandatory to show how manufacturers, distributors and retailers will take responsibility for the life cycle of the products they sell, use or distribute, including recycling the packaging and products they collect.

In essence, the province says tire companies need to take responsibility for tire products they sell, use or distribute under the required EPR Plan, since it is the foundation of the regulatory framework. These EPR plans are the government’s only way to ensure regulatory objectives are being met. The ministry said allowing some producers to avoid their obligation creates an uneven playing field, requiring compliant producers to pay for the recycling of non-compliant producers’ materials.

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On August 26, 2025, the Ministry conducted an office review inspection of Abbsry to verify compliance with the regulatory measures. On August 26, 2025, the province determined Abbsry was noncompliant. It subsequently notified the company about the noncompliance on September 18, 2025 by registered mail.

The Compliance and Environmental Enforcement Branch said Abbsry contravened environmental regulations between August 27, 2025 and November 25, 2025, when it failed to have an approved EPR Plan and did not comply with the approved plan.

The ministry also said it was not aware of any efforts by Abbsry to contest the contraventions, saying there was no record of an “Opportunity to be Heard” submission provided by Abbsry Used Tires Ltd.

Ministry staff said it wasn’t aware of any efforts by Abbsry Used Tires Ltd. to prevent reoccurrence of the contravention. It said the violations were major contraventions.

It should also be noted that the maximum penalty allowable under the Administrative Penalty Regulation for contravention of the applicable statutes is $40,000, meaning the company could have been penalized even more.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

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Chilliwack business fined for ‘major contravention’ of environmental regulations

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