The Quebec Ministry of the Environment has laid charges against Hydro-Quebec, following an “exhaustive investigation” into work carried out by the Crown corporation on the banks of waterways and in wetlands of the Laurentians. Hydro-Québec is liable to a minimum fine of $15,000 for each count.
The Director of Criminal and Penal Prosecutions served seven statements of offense on the government-owned company for offenses committed in 2019 as part of the construction site for the 120 kV power line project between the Grand-Brûlé substation in Mont -Tremblant and the municipality of Saint-Sauveur, in the Laurentians.
According to what the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) specified in a press release published Friday morning, Hydro-Québec would have, on six occasions, “made a change authorized activities by developing work areas and paths with fill on the banks of watercourses and in peat bog-type wetlands, without obtaining modifications to his authorizations from the Minister”.
In addition, the Crown corporation is accused of having carried out work in a peat bog “without first obtaining a certificate of authorization from the Minister”.
The MELCCFP also specifies that “many shortcomings have been noted” since obtaining the authorization issued for the work, in 2017. In total, 14 notices of non-compliance were sent to Hydro-Québec as well as to two contractors under the Environment Quality Act (EQA). Two monetary administrative penalties in the amounts of $5,000 and $10,000 were also imposed on Hydro-Québec for breaches of the EQA. 42 kilometers long, the new 120 kilowatt-hour high-voltage line aimed to meet the growing demand for electricity in the Laurentians.
In addition, in October 2022, Environment and Climate Change Canada had indicated, by means of a press release, that Hydro-Québec violated the Species at Risk Act by carrying out work directly in the critical habitat of the chorus frog. , an endangered and federally protected species. The Crown corporation was fined $40,000.
More details to come.