Canadian man fined $35,000 for fuel spill that contaminated local waterways

DDM News

A Canadian transport company driver has been fined $35,000 for violating environmental laws after a fuel spill in Dorval.

The Court of Québec imposed the fine on February 11, 2025, after Daniel Chayer pleaded guilty to two environmental offenses, Diaspora digital media (DDM) reported.

He admitted to violating the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, leading to significant water contamination.

The penalty will be paid into the Environmental Damages Fund, which supports projects aimed at restoring and protecting Canada’s environment.

According to a Canadian government statement published on February 12, 2025, the case resulted from a fuel delivery mishap.

The incident occurred on January 4, 2021, at an Enterprise Rent-A-Car facility in Dorval during a fuel transfer.

Chayer mistakenly pumped 20,000 litres of gasoline into a 5,000-litre gasoline trap, causing a massive overflow.

Investigators from Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) found that 15,000 litres of gasoline spilled into the storm-drainage system.

The spill eventually reached Bouchard Creek, a fish-bearing waterway that flows into Lake Saint-Louis, endangering aquatic life.

Lake Saint-Louis, a widening of the St. Lawrence River, is home to Silver Redhorse, Walleye, and Northern Pike.

Under the Fisheries Act, releasing harmful substances into fish-inhabited waters or areas leading to them is a serious offense.

Failing to follow petroleum storage regulations also violates the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, according to environmental authorities.

Officials determined that Chayer’s negligence caused the fuel spill during the transfer process.

Regulations require fuel deliveries to be made only to tanks with clearly visible identification numbers, which were ignored in this case.

An ECCC spokesperson stressed the importance of strict environmental laws in preventing pollution and protecting Canada’s ecosystems.

“We take incidents like this very seriously and will continue working to safeguard Canada’s air, water, and natural environment,” they stated.

The Environmental Damages Fund, established in 1995, ensures that penalties for environmental violations support ecological restoration projects.

This fund finances initiatives that mitigate environmental harm, rehabilitate affected areas, and promote conservation efforts across Canada.

Canada remains committed to enforcing environmental laws and holding violators accountable for actions that threaten ecosystems.

Canadians interested in government actions on environmental protection can subscribe to ECCC’s free updates for regular notifications.

This ruling reinforces the importance of environmental responsibility and the consequences of negligence in handling hazardous materials.

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