The Quebec Environmental Technology Business Council (CETEQ), which represents companies in the residual materials processing sector, denounces Quebec’s laxity in monitoring soil from construction sites. He calls for the recently created traceability system to be immediately strengthened.
The organization which represents important players in the environmental industry reacts to articles in La Presse reporting the dumping along the Ottawa River – in Kanesatake – of soil from construction and road sites in the region of Montreal.
“Every time articles like these are published, it reminds us that there are flaws in the soil traceability system in Quebec,” says Kevin Morin, general director of CETEQ.
In recent years, the Ministry of the Environment has deployed Traces Québec, a computer system which aims to ensure the traceability of contaminated soils. On paper, this system ensures that these materials will be dealt with according to their contamination rate. It thus forces GPS tracking of trucks transporting these materials, from the excavation site to the place where they will be unloaded.
“It’s true, there is a traceability system, but it’s too easy to circumvent it,” notes Kevin Morin.
“Also, if a soil testing consultant is in cahoots with a carrier, it is possible that contaminated soil will be presented as soil that is not contaminated,” he says.
CETEQ calls for improving the obligations linked to traceability, but also for increasing penalties in the event of illegal unloading. In 2011, Quebec adopted an administrative monetary sanctions (SAP) mechanism. However, regardless of the seriousness of the alleged actions or their repetition, the penalties cannot exceed $10,000.
“The amount should instead reflect the profits that a company has made by circumventing the rules and the severity of the environmental damage it causes,” according to Mr. Morin.
Not only must fines be increased, but site managers must also be held accountable. Noting that the different companies involved – consultants, excavators, transport companies – pass the buck on their responsibility, Kevin Morin believes that the government should first of all hold those who are initially responsible for the soil to account.
“Very often it is the owner of the site where there is excavation, but sometimes when the land crosses several properties – let’s take the work for a cycle path – well it should be the principal who is responsible,” says -he.
Especially since beyond environmental considerations, inaction has a cost for the industry, he recalls. He cites the example of contaminated soil treatment centers: “There is a very simple aspect: if there is less volume coming in to be treated because it is placed elsewhere, you do less business. »
Also, Kevin Morin recalls that for each ton of soil treated, a fee of five dollars is paid. Each year, the sum of these royalties is donated to the various processing centers to improve processes. “There too, we lose, because it’s money that doesn’t go towards innovation,” he says.