Order: In the Matter of Bennett Environmental Inc. et al. - Stern, Richard

Order

IN THE MATTER OF THE SECURITIES ACT
R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5, AS AMENDED

- and -

IN THE MATTER OF
BENNETT ENVIRONMENTAL INC., JOHN BENNETT,
RICHARD STERN, ROBERT GRIFFITHS, and
ALLAN BULCKAERT


SETTLEMENT BETWEEN STAFF OF THE
ONTARIO SECURITIES COMMISSION and
RICHARD STERN

O R D E R
(Sections 127 and 127.1)


      WHEREAS on June 2, 2006 the Ontario Securities Commission (the “Commission”) issued a Notice of Hearing pursuant to section 127 of the Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5, as amended (the “Act”), in respect of Richard Stern (“Stern”) to consider the allegations set out in the Statement of Allegations, dated May 31, 2006;

      AND WHEREAS Stern entered into a settlement agreement with Staff of the Commission, dated April 4, 2008 (the “Settlement Agreement”), in which the parties have proposed a settlement of the proceeding commenced by the Notice of Hearing and Statement of Allegations, subject to the approval of the Commission;

      AND UPON reviewing the Settlement Agreement and upon hearing submissions from the counsel for Stern and from Staff of the Commission;

      AND WHEREAS the Commission is of the opinion that it is in the public interest to make this Order;

      IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT:
  1. the Settlement Agreement is hereby approved;
  2. Stern shall be prohibited from acting as a director or officer of any issuer for a period of 5 years from the date of an order of the Commission approving this Settlement Agreement;
  3. Stern shall immediately pay to the Commission the sum of $490,000 as an administrative penalty designated for the allocation to or benefit of third parties in accordance with subsection 3.4(2) of the Act; and
  4. Stern shall immediately pay to the Commission the sum of $60,000 toward the costs of the investigation of the matters set out herein.
      DATED at Toronto on this 4th day of April, 2008.


" Wendell S. Wigle "
Wendell S. Wigle, Q.C.
" Margot C. Howard "
Margot C. Howard, CFA