Developer facing environmental charges for work around Summerside waterway
Nathan Kember and his company Strategic Holdings Inc. charged by the province
A Summerside-area developer is facing charges under the province's Environmental Protection Act for allegedly doing work around a wetland without the proper permits.
Strategic Holdings Inc. is facing four charges while its president, 32-year-old Nathan Kember, faces seven.
"Based on a complaint, environment officials investigated potential watercourse and wetland violations in the Summerside area," Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action officials said in an email to CBC News.
"Justice and Public Safety conservation officers assisted with the investigation and charges were laid under the Environment Protection Act. As this file is in front of the courts, no additional information will be made available at this time."
None of the allegations have been proven in court and no pleas have been entered.
"Our client is currently working with officials from the Department of Environment on these matters," Kember's lawyer, Jordan Brown, said in an email when asked for an interview regarding the allegations.
"We do not have any comment beyond this, at this time."
Back in court in January
Documents filed in court say the 11 infractions happened in August and October. The August incidents resulted in only charges against Kember, while the October happenings resulted in charges against both the president and the company itself.
They include disturbing or altering the ground, cutting trees or shrubs, and operating heavy equipment — all near a watercourse or in a buffer zone — without the necessary permits.
Under the act, the province requires anyone planning to do work in a watercourse, wetland or buffer zone to apply for permits. Making an application can range from $50 to $100 and they should be submitted at least six weeks in advance of the planned work date.
None of the charges against Kember list a location where the alleged violations took place, but the information filed against Strategic Holdings included a letter from Minister Gilles Arsenault that identified a 40-acre parcel of land at 686 Water St. East in Summerside.
Both Kember and Strategic Holdings were on the docket in Summerside provincial court on Wednesday before Judge Krista MacKay. All matters were adjourned and will be back in court on Jan. 22, 2025.
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