A Quebec man has been fined $35,000 after a fuel spill in Dorval caused significant environmental damage. On February 11, 2025, the Court of Québec imposed a fine on Daniel Chayer, a transport company driver, who pleaded guilty to violations of both the Fisheries Act and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
The case stems from an incident on January 4, 2021, when Chayer accidentally transferred over 20,000 litres of gasoline into an incorrectly sized storage tank. The overflow led to about 15,000 litres of gasoline entering the storm-drainage system, ultimately reaching Bouchard Creek, which flows into Lake Saint-Louis. This contamination threatened aquatic life in the waterway, which is home to several fish species.
The fine will go toward the Environmental Damages Fund, which supports projects aimed at restoring and protecting Canada’s environment. The incident was a result of negligence during the fuel transfer, as regulations require petroleum to be delivered to tanks with visible identification numbers, which was not followed in this case.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) reaffirmed its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and ensuring such incidents are prevented in the future.
