A Quebec man has been fined $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.
The penalty will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, which supports projects aimed at restoring and protecting Canada’s environment.
The case stems from a fuel delivery mishap on January 4, 2021, at an Enterprise Rent-A-Car service centre in Dorval.
According to an investigation by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), Chayer mistakenly transferred over 20,000 litres of gasoline into a 5,000-litre gasoline trap, leading to a massive overflow.
Approximately 15,000 litres of gasoline then entered the site’s storm-drainage system, eventually reaching Bouchard Creek—a fish-bearing waterway that flows into Lake Saint-Louis, the release noted.
“Depositing a harmful substance into waters frequented by fish, or in any location where it may enter such waters, is a serious offence 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 determined that Chayer’s actions resulted from negligence during the fuel transfer process.
Regulations require that petroleum products be delivered only to storage tanks with clearly visible identification numbers—an essential safeguard that was overlooked in this case.
Lake Saint-Louis, a widening of the St. Lawrence River, supports several fish species, including Silver Redhorse, Walleye, and Northern Pike. The contamination posed a significant threat to aquatic life and local ecosystems.
ECCC emphasized its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and preventing 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, established in 1995, ensures that penalties for environmental violations are reinvested in projects that mitigate harm and support ecological restoration efforts.
Canadians interested in staying informed about government actions to protect the environment can subscribe to ECCC’s free updates.
