A court in Canada has fined a Quebec man $35,000 for violating two Canadian environmental laws after a fuel spill in Dorval resulted in significant contamination of local waterways.
The Court of Québec ordered the fine on February 11, 2025, after Daniel Chayer, a transport company driver, pleaded guilty to violations of both the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.
Chronicle NG on Thursday retrieved this from a statement on the Canadian government website dated February 12, 2025.
The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, which supports projects aimed at restoring and protecting Canada’s environment.
On January 4, 2021, a fuel delivery mishap occurred at an Enterprise Rent-A-Car service center in Dorval.
According to an investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Chayer accidentally transferred over 20,000 liters of gasoline into a 5,000-liter gasoline trap, resulting in a massive overflow.
Approximately 15,000 liters of gasoline then entered the site’s storm-drainage system, eventually reaching Bouchard Creek—a fish-bearing waterway.
“Depositing a harmful substance into waters frequented by fish, or in any location where it may enter such waters, is a serious offense under the Fisheries Act,” an ECCC spokesperson said.
“Additionally, failure to comply with regulations governing petroleum storage tank systems constitutes a violation of the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.”
Authorities decided that Chayer’s actions stemmed from recklessness throughout the fuel transfer process.
Regulations mandate that petroleum products be delivered only to storage tanks with clearly visible identification numbers, an important protection that was missed in this case. Silver Redhorse, Walleye, and Northern Pike are among the fish species that call Lake Saint-Louis, a widening of the St. Lawrence River, their home.
The contamination had a profound impact on aquatic life and local ecosystems.
The ECCC stressed its commitment to enforcing environmental regulations and reducing pollution.
“We take incidents like this very seriously and will continue working to protect Canada’s air, water, and natural environment,” the agency stated.
The Environmental Damages Fund, founded in 1995, ensures that fines for environmental infractions are reinvested in projects that reduce harm and promote ecological restoration efforts.
Canadians who want to stay up to date on government environmental initiatives can sign up for free updates from the ECCC.
