Criminal investigation continues on dumping

A new information package on dumping from Quebec’s environment ministry geared to Kanesatake community members seeks to clarify the ministry’s actions in response to local questions.

Among its points, the package refers to an ongoing penal investigation, which could lead to criminal charges stemming from a wave of dumping and other unsanctioned work carried out on the shores of the Lake of Two Mountains in 2023 and 2024 until the ministry finally intervened in August 2024.

The intervention saw the collection of samples that demonstrated that several lots were filled with contaminated soil from construction sites in the region.

“The department is continuing its criminal investigation in collaboration with its partners in the case. For this reason, no further comments will be made to avoid prejudicing the ongoing investigation,” said ministry spokesperson Frédéric Fournier in response to an inquiry from The Eastern Door.

The package outlines important dates in the legal process and other actions taken by the ministry, such as a letter last summer that warned excavation transporters in the region that dumping contaminated soil in the community is illegal.

The package also seeks to clarify terms, describing the difference between a penal investigation, an interlocutory - or temporary - injunction, and a permanent injunction.

Finally, it includes information on why it is so environmentally harmful to backfill near the lake, not least because of damage to fish habitats, even when soil is uncontaminated.

“Generally, it’s just there to dispel some of the misinformation that’s going around. We know that a lot of people, especially those involved in the situation, are advancing a particular narrative. Some of the stuff is not exactly accurate,” said Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) chief Brant Etienne.

Some of this misinformation, according to Etienne, is a claim that Council is behind the legal actions, when it is actually the province of Quebec that is pursuing the case.

“The information in the packet is from Quebec’s point of view. They’re the ones that initiated the injunction. Obviously, that was a response to the community’s call to do something about all the dumping,” Etienne said.

In answering The Eastern Door’s questions, the Quebec environment ministry confirmed that 78 inspections or audits have been carried out over the past year in partnership with the Surete du Quebec.

“This number includes monitoring activities following the injunction obtained in October 2024, for which the department was required to monitor. To date, our audits confirm that the injunction is being complied with,” said Fournier.

However, according to Etienne, Council has received reports of the injunction being violated as recently as this past weekend.

“There are some concerns that there may be clandestine dumping going on still,” Etienne said. “We’re looking into reports of that.”

The safeguard order issued in October 2024 and renewed in February remains in effect until September 16, 2025.

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Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter