Forestière des Amériques inc. - conviction information for 2020-10-15

Corporation details
Corporation name: Forestière des Amériques inc.
Address: 7845 B Saint-Denis Street
City: Montreal
Province/territory: Quebec
Postal code: H2R 2E9
Country: Canada
Sector or industry: 113 - Forestry and logging
Case details
Location of offense: Palerme Boulevard, La Prairie, Quebec
Case summary:

On 23 and 24 April 2018, Forestière des Amériques Inc., acting under a mandate from Débroussaillage Québec, conducted vegetation removal activities beneath high-voltage electrical transmission lines. These activities occurred within the municipal jurisdiction of La Prairie, Quebec, specifically within a designated area protected by an Emergency Order for the Protection of the Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence and Canadian Shield population).

 

Pursuant to the provisions of the Species at Risk Act, vegetation removal within the area subject to the Emergency Order requires a permit. Environment and Climate Change Canada Wildlife Enforcement Officers investigated and found that Forestière des Amériques Inc. did not possess the requisite authorization. The company was formally charged with contravening the provisions of the Emergency Order, thereby committing an offence under the Species at Risk Act.

Charges:

Count 1

 

On or about 23 April 2018, in La Prairie, within the judicial district of Longueuil, did unlawfully remove, trim, damage, or destroy vegetation within the habitat of the Western Chorus Frog (Great Lakes/St. Lawrence and Canadian Shield population), thereby contravening paragraph 2(1)(b) of the Emergency Order, and thereby committing an offence punishable on summary conviction, pursuant to subparagraph 97(1.1)(b)(i) of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).

Enforcement notification: Forestière des Amériques forestry company court-ordered to pay $20,000 for violating the Species at Risk Act
Conviction
Result: Guilty Plea
Date of conviction: 2020-10-15
Court level: Provincial and Territorial Court
Nature of offense(s):
  • Other
Additional details about the nature of the offense: Having trimmed vegetation, namely trees, shrubs, and bushes, within the area protected by the Emergency Order for the Protection of the Western Chorus Frog.
Legislative details
Act Regulations Section(s)
Species at Risk Act 97(1.1)b)(i)
Sentencing
Date of sentencing: 2020-10-15
Location of sentencing: Longueuil, Quebec
Sentence(s):
  • Fine
Amount of fine(s): $20,000
Sentencing details:
On 15 October 2020, before the Provincial Court of the City of Longueuil, Quebec, the company Forestière des Amériques inc. pleaded guilty to the offence under subparagraph 97(1.1)(b)(i) of SARA and was sentenced to a fine of $20,000, payable within 12 months.
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