Quebec premier reassures Kahnawake, Chateauguay residents after creek-polluting oil spill
![Oil spill clean up in Kahnawake After a business in Chateauguay, Que. reported a diesel spill at the beginning of February, residents in the neighbouring Indigenous community of Kahnawake reported that it leached into a stream running through the territory.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/2/29/oil-spill-clean-up-in-kahnawake-1-6790031-1709248737345.png)
Quebec Premier François Legault sought to reassure the residents of Châteauguay and Kahnawake following a spill of petroleum products into a creek on the border of the city and the Kanien'kehá:ka (Mohawk) community.
A fuel oil spill from a tank occurred on Feb. 12 at 2325 Ford Boulevard, in Châteauguay, according to the Environment Ministry's Urgence-Environnement response register.
"Every spill of toxic products into the environment is a horror and a tragedy for the public and the environment," Châteauguay Mayor Eric Allard said in a new release. "We are certainly working with the federal and provincial authorities, as well as with the Kahnawake Band Council, to ensure that the person or persons responsible for this accidental spill or, if it was deliberate, this uncontrolled spill, assume all the consequences and costs."
During a visit to the region on Friday afternoon, Legault said he had discussed the situation with the Mohawk Council Grand Chief Kahsennenhawe Sky-Deer, and local CAQ MNA Marie-Belle Gendron.
"The Ministry of the Environment is involved. What I want to make sure of is that the work that needs to be done will be done to ensure that there is no impact on either humans or animals," said Legault. "So I'm going to make sure, with Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, that the work that needs to be done is done."
Category 1 emergency
According to the environment ministry, the fuel oil spill is a category 1 environmental emergency.
This means that the consequences "are minor and easy to identify" or "easily controllable by usual, well-known and well-established means of intervention" or that "the impact on property is relatively minor and human health is not affected."
It is not known what caused "what appears to be an accidental or criminal spill on private property," according to Allard.
The city's news release states that "the owner of the tanker unfortunately passed away last weekend, making the investigation more complicated."
The news release issued by Allard's administration points out that the contamination was discovered on Feb. 9 in Kahnawake by a resident whose property was affected by the spill, but it was not until Feb. 12 that Châteauguay municipal authorities were notified of the spill.
According to the news release issued by the city, the Châteauguay police and fire services were called to the scene by the owner of the site around Feb. 1.
At the time, the owner had noticed a leak in a tanker and was asking for the vehicle to be towed away.
"The firefighters inspected the site and noted that the leak was limited and contained, and that there was no spread of contamination on the site, or in the storm sewer or ditch," the release reads. "At the scene, the owner of the tanker undertook to dispose of the few litres recovered in sealed containers and then to have his truck towed away."
The contamination occurred a few days after the police and firefighters intervened, and to date the situation is "contained and under control," according to the municipal administration.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on March 1, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6972157.1721587842!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Joe Biden drops out of 2024 race, endorses Kamala Harris to be Democratic nominee
U.S. President Joe Biden dropped out of the 2024 race for the White House on Sunday, ending his bid for re-election after doubts were raised about his fitness for office. Soon after, he endorsed Vice-President Kamala Harris to take his place in the November election.
Justin Trudeau reacts to Joe Biden announcing he won't run for re-election
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau responded to the news that U.S. President Joe Biden won’t run for re-election Sunday, calling Biden a 'true friend.'
Joe Biden wants to pass the baton to Kamala Harris. Here's how that might work
With U.S. President Joe Biden ending his re-election bid and endorsing Vice-President Kamala Harris, Democrats now must navigate a shift that is unprecedented this late in an election year.
The pilot who died in crash after releasing skydivers near Niagara Falls has been identified
NEW YORK (AP) — Officials on Sunday released the name of a pilot who died in a skydiving flight after her passengers jumped from the aircraft near the Niagara Falls.
Woman found dead in the water near Sunset Beach: Vancouver police
Investigators were at Vancouver’s Sunset Beach after a woman’s body was found in the water Sunday morning, according to authorities.
Ottawa man waiting nearly a year for car to be fixed at Acura dealership
An Ottawa man says he’s been waiting nearly a year for his car to be repaired after it was damaged during a storm in August.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Joy in Newfoundland after 'Lucky 7' fishers survive harrowing days lost at sea
There was a powerful word being repeated in the joyful Newfoundland community of New-Wes-Valley on Sunday: 'Miracle.'
A Florida woman was killed 24 years ago. DNA evidence just helped police make an arrest in the cold case
A Florida woman’s brutal killing nearly 25 years ago may finally be solved after authorities arrested the suspect this week, according to the Sanford Police Department.