Hydro-Québec pleaded guilty to a count of violating the prohibitions under the Emergency Order for the Protection of the Western Chorus Frog Great Lakes, in contravention of the Species at Risk Act.
Therefore, the Crown corporation is ordered to pay a fine of $40,000 to the Receiver General of Canada.
“On March 23, 2022, while on routine patrol, Environment and Climate Change Canada Wildlife enforcement officers noticed heavy equipment and construction in the enforcement area of the Emergency order for the protection of the Western Chorus Frog of the Great Lakes/Saint-Laurent, and the Canadian Shield, in the municipality of La Prairie,” the Ministry notes in a press release.
“A contravention of the provisions of an emergency decree is an offence under the Species at Risk Act,” the press release also specifies. “The Act prohibits killing or harming a wildlife species, listed as an endangered species and damaging or destroying its habitat.”
The Emergency Decree, in effect since June 22, 2016, prohibits the installation, construction of an infrastructure, or any form of maintenance of an infrastructure in the application area. (N.P.)
translated by Alec Brideau
