Quebec mobile lab tests soil on trucks
A mobile lab from Quebec’s Environment Ministry tested the soil of trucks entering Kanesatake on April 24. Courtesy Quebec Environment Ministry Facebook page
The Quebec Environment Ministry’s mobile truck was parked near the entrance of Oka in an effort to prevent illegal dumping of contaminated soil in Kanesatake last week.
Four trucks were stopped, with only one containing soil, but it was not found to be contaminated, said Alexandre Ouellet, director general of environmental control for Lanaudière and the Laurentians at Quebec’s Environment Ministry.
“We think that if we don’t find any contaminated soil in the trucks, it means that our interventions actually are working,” said Ouellet.
Quebec has routinely been doing these mobile lab operations since 2024, along with weekly surveillance of trucks going into Kanesatake, said Ouellet.
Caretaker council members of the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) support the April 24 mobile lab.
“It’s unfortunate that people are still dumping in the community, but things are in the works to start dealing with it,” said caretaker council member Brant Etienne.
Fellow caretaker council member Serge Otsi Simon is adamant that Quebec must play a greater role in quelling illegal dumping in Kanesatake. Quebec issues the permits allowing trucks to remove contaminated soil, and the province enforces the policies and laws governing dumping in proper sites.
Simon said Quebec’s increased oversight also means they have a greater responsibility to stop dumping in Kanesatake, he said.
“The soils that are coming in here are coming from the Quebec side of the fence,” said Simon. “It’s from their companies.”
During the testing conducted by the environment ministry, the mobile lab collects four soil samples from the trucks and tests whether there are metals or hydrocarbons (petroleum products) in it. The tests take about 10-15 minutes to complete, and during that time the operators will take down information about the driver and the company.
Once the test is complete, the driver will be allowed to leave. If the soil is found to be uncompliant, a letter will be sent to the company by mail, and afterwards there is a follow-up, with “a possible administrative penalty or a criminal fine if there’s a prosecution,” said Ouellet.
Thousands of truckloads of contaminated soils from construction sites in the Greater Montreal Area have been dumped in Kanesatake over the years.
Companies seeking to save costs on dumping take advantage of the low level of enforcement in Kanesatake along with the help of the cooperation of some locals, said Simon.
“To save money, they’re coming here and they’re giving a fraction to the band member, most likely: ‘We’ve got 500 loads. Can we dump it over here?’” said Simon. “And don’t tell me that no company around here doesn’t know they’re not supposed to dump contaminated soil by a waterway. They all know they’re not allowed to do that.”
In 2024, Quebec began investigating whether dump sites in Kanesatake and the Lake of Two Mountains had contaminated soil, with alleged culprits facing potential fines of up to $1 million for individuals and $6 million for corporations.
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That same year, the province pursued a temporary injunction against several individuals and companies allegedly involved in the illegal dumping along the shoreline.
In 2025, 13 individuals and companies were charged under the federal Fisheries Act, laws aimed at protecting fish habitats.
Court cases involving illegal dumping are ongoing.
Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
