The number of federal environmental regulations continues to grow, and, in some cases, these regulations have substantial penalties for non-compliance. Some of these recent regulations include the deadline that recently passed for Mandatory PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) Reporting, the Plastics Registry Reporting that commences later in 2025, and the amendments to the Competition Act that will focus on environmental claims made in marketing and promotional material.
With this as a backdrop, we provide an update on recent federal and provincial environmental enforcement cases.
Delivery Driver Held Liable for Spill
According to a News Release by Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), “On February 11, 2025, Daniel Chayer, a Quebec resident and driver for a transport company, was ordered by the Court of Québec to pay a total fine of $35,000. Chayer pleaded guilty to one count of violating the Fisheries Act and one count of violating the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999.”
The conviction stems from a fuel spill on January 4, 2021. ECCC enforcement officers launched an investigation after being notified of a fuel spill at the Enterprise Rent-A-Car Canada’s service centre in Dorval, Quebec. The investigation determined that, during a fuel delivery, Chayer transferred over 20,000 litres of regular gasoline into a 5,000-litre gasoline trap. This incident resulted in the discharge of approximately 15,000 litres of gasoline into the site’s storm-drainage system, eventually reaching the fish-bearing waters of Bouchard Creek, which flow into Lake Saint-Louis. Enforcement officers determined that the incident occurred due to a “lack of diligence when delivering.”
Dead Birds
Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. (CNRL) is appealing the $278,000 fine that the Alberta Energy Regulator (AER) imposed on the company in mid-2024.
CNRL was sanctioned in 2024 by the AER for failure to stop birds from nesting on an island that emerged from a pond (presumably from fall water levels in the pond) at the Horizon Oilsands Mine at their site about 60 kilometres north of Fort McMurray.
According to reports, throughout the spring and summer of 2022, more than 400 California gulls died from exposure to the contaminated water.
Canadian Occupational Safety reported, “The company attempted to disperse the flocks using pyrotechnics and other deterrents, but the birds repeatedly returned. By July, oil-covered gull chicks were being discovered, and bird carcasses continued to accumulate in the area. Predators such as wolves and coyotes were also observed crossing the shallow water to hunt the contaminated birds, further spreading the contamination risk.”
Rio Tinto Fer et Titane was fined $2 million after pleading guilty to eight counts of violating the Fisheries Act and the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations (Photo by Dominik Vanyi on Unsplash).
Obstructing Enforcement Officers
ECCC reported that on November 18, 2024, “ArcelorMittal Mining Canada GP was ordered by the Court of Québec to pay a $100,000 fine, after pleading guilty to one count of violating the Fisheries Act. The conviction follows events that occurred between June and September 2022, when the company obstructed the actions of Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers.”
As reported, between June 14, 2022, and September 27, 2022, enforcement officers followed up to obtain the documents requested during the inspection. On September 27, 2022, the company responded that it would not provide some of these documents. In doing so, the company obstructed Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers in the exercise of their duties, thereby contravening section 62 of the Fisheries Act.
As a result of this conviction, the company’s name will be added to the Environmental Offenders Registry.
Eight Counts – $2 Million Fine
On January 13, 2025, “Rio Tinto Fer et Titane inc., was sentenced by the Court of Québec to pay fines totalling $2 million after pleading guilty to eight counts of violating the Fisheries Act and the Metal and Diamond Mining Effluent Regulations. The conviction stems from various deposits of deleterious substances (elevated concentrations of nickel and low pH values in effluent) that occurred between February and August 2023, as well as the failure to take a sample following an unauthorized deposit of a deleterious substance in November 2023. The fines will be paid in full to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund and will support projects that have a positive impact on Canada’s natural environments” (Source: ECCC).
The fines for the eight different counts ranged from $50,000 to $400,000. For more information, see the Case Details.
Environmental Assistance
Environmental regulations are not only growing, but they affect more types of companies, not just the “smokestack industry.” If you have questions about an environmental issue, contact Christopher Paré, P.Geo., Q.P., at 519-948-7300, Ext. 114.
Dragun Corporation does not use artificial intelligence to draft our blogs or any other material.
Alan Hahn drafted this blog. Alan has an undergraduate degree in Environmental Studies and completed a graduate program in Environmental Management. He has worked in environmental management for more than 45 years. He has written hundreds of blogs and articles. His published work includes HazMat Magazine, BizX Magazine, Michigan Lawyers Weekly, GreenStone Partners, Manure Manager Magazine, and Progressive Dairy.
Christopher Paré, P.Geo, reviewed this blog. Chris is a senior geoscientist and manager of Dragun’s Windsor, Ontario, office. Chris has more than 30 years of experience on projects ranging from environmental site assessments (Phase One/Two ESA), excess soils, remedial investigations, soil and groundwater remediation, Permits to Take Water, Records of Site Conditions, vapour intrusion, and site decommissioning. Chris is a frequent speaker, author, and expert witness. See Chris’ bio.
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