The Ministry of the Environment is conducting an operation this week in Kanesatake to counter the illegal dumping of potentially contaminated soil on the shores of Lac des Deux Montagnes, “directly in fish habitat.” However, on Tuesday, trucks continued to come and go in Mohawk territory to dump their contents, it was noted The Press.
Early in the morning, the Ministry of the Environment, the Fight against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) announced in a press release that it was conducting an operation to stop illegal dumping in Kanesatake. “These activities are carried out without any authorization [et] threaten fish habitat,” the Ministry said.
The Ministry has opened an investigation to “identify those responsible for these backfilling activities and document the nature of the shortcomings on the banks, coastlines and in fish habitat.”
Ministry employees will continue their sampling at several sites along the Ottawa River to establish the characteristics of the soils that have been dumped there for months.
Kanesatake Band Council Grand Chief Victor Bonspille believes the operation was planned “in the right way.” “They came in with a warrant to take samples. That wasn’t the case last time, as far as I know,” he said, calling for the Indigenous territory to be given more environmental powers and resources so it can enforce its own laws.
PHOTO CHARLES WILLIAM PELLETIER, SPECIAL COLLABORATION
On Tuesday, the unauthorized dumping of soil continued in Kanesatake.
During his visit to Kanesatake on Tuesday, The Press However, it was noted that the coming and going of trucks unloading the soil continued.
The grand chief estimates that the number of trucks illegally dumping loads of soil on Mohawk territory has “decreased by 70%” since the mayor of Oka, Pascal Quevillon, publicly requested intervention from the authorities.
PHOTO VICTOR BONSPILLE, ARCHIVES THE CANADIAN PRESS
Grand Chief of the Kanesatake Band Council, Victor Bonspille
I am not happy with this situation. I have been complaining about this problem and asking for intervention for over four years, but it takes a non-native person to complain for things to change. This is not normal.
Victor Bonspille, Chief of the Kanesatake Band Council
The mayor of Oka has been putting pressure on governments for months to intervene. Contacted by The Presshe simply drops: “Better late than never.” However, “the damage is already done” on the environmental level, says Pascal Quevillon, hoping that unauthorized activities in Kanesatake will be quickly stopped once and for all.
First inspection cancelled
The Quebec operation comes after the failure of a first inspection attempt on May 7. That day, inspectors from the Ministry of the Environment were to go to Kanesatake, accompanied by the SQ and representatives of the Band Council.
The ministry cancelled the inspection at the last minute after being informed of an altercation at the site. The Press released a video of the fight in June during a report detailing the tense climate resulting from unauthorized backfilling activities in Kanesatake.
Read “Soil dumping causes tension in Kanesatake”
It shows the owner of a site and an employee attacking two Mohawk chiefs – Brent Etienne and Serge Simon – who had visited a site. The two band council representatives have since confirmed to The Press have formally filed a complaint with the SQ so that the police force can investigate the events.
“It was time for the Ministry to intervene,” said Chief Serge Simon in a telephone interview. “People need to understand that they can’t come here and do whatever they want.” However, he deplores the fact that trucks continue to dump despite Quebec’s intervention: “I think they just want to be rebellious, to say that they’re not going to comply with Quebec’s demands.”
With Tristan Péloquin
They said
Kanesatake Indigenous activists and their allies have been working behind the scenes for years to stop the pollution. We consider this a victory because the government has been forced to act. We remain deeply concerned that trucks carrying unknown shipments of land continue to enter the community. This will be a test of how serious all levels of government are.
“Pink,” Mohawk activist
There is a victory in this, because citizens have been putting pressure on ministries for months. But we must not forget that the fundamental problem is one of public safety. It is good that we are interested in the environmental aspect, but we must go further and send a clear signal that Kanesatake is not a lawless zone.
Okois ReconciliAction Kanesatake/Oka Residents Collective