The Quebec government is turning to the courts to prevent the dumping of contaminated soil along Lac des Deux-Montagnes in the Mohawk community of Kanesatake.
The Ministry of the Environment is seeking an injunction from the Superior Court to stop the dumping of soil and waste, the felling of trees and the construction of new buildings on 17 waterfront properties on Lac des Deux-Montagnes in Kanesatake, near ‘Okay.
The injunction request names 17 defendants, mostly Kanesatake residents, and two companies that worked on those properties. But the request does not target other construction companies whose trucks were frequently seen transporting dirt to Mohawk territory.
Government inspectors collected soil samples in Kanesatake last month and according to court documents, the land was contaminated with hydrocarbons.
The ministry also says new buildings have been erected on these lands along the shore, including a cannabis store.
Government lawyers were at the Saint-Jérôme courthouse on Wednesday, but the hearing was postponed until October 7, to give the defendants time to find lawyers.