Transport Desgagnés Inc. - conviction information for 2026-05-08
| Corporation name: | Transport Desgagnés Inc. |
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| Address: | 21 Marché Champlain |
| City: | Québec |
| Province/territory: | Quebec |
| Postal code: | G1K 8Z8 |
| Country: | Canada |
| Sector or industry: | 483 - Water transportation |
| Location of offense: | Akapait National Wildlife Area, Nunavut, Near Qikiqtarjuaq, Nunavut |
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| Case summary: |
On May 8, 2026, at the Nunavut Court of Justice, Transport Desgagnés Inc. was fined $40,000 after pleading guilty to two violations of the Wildlife Area Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act. In addition to the fine, the company must publish a notice to a local newspaper that includes a description of the offences, the fine paid and relevant details concerning the implicated National Wildlife Area.
On October 1, 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers received a report that the M/T Sarah Desgagnés, a shipping vessel operated by Transport Desgagnés Inc., had entered Akpait National Wildlife Area. Officers initiated an investigation that revealed the vessel entered the National Wildlife Area on September 29, 2024, and October 6, 2024, without the required access permits. Unauthorized entry into this National Wildlife Area is a violation under paragraph 3.3(1)(h) of the Wildlife Area Regulations.
Wildlife Area Regulations restrict activities in National Wildlife Areas to protect habitats and wildlife, including migratory birds and species at risk. Vessels can disturb wildlife and their habitats by making noise, creating waves, causing pollution, or getting too close. Requiring permits to access National Wildlife Areas helps protect these sensitive ecosystems by allowing only activities that support conservation. |
| Charges: |
Count 1) September 29, 2024
3.3 (1) No person shall enter any of the following wildlife areas except in accordance with a permit issued under section 4: (h) Akpait National Wildlife Area, as set out in item 1. TRANSPORT DESGAGNES INC did enter a Wildlife Area, to wit: Akpait National Wildlife Area, in violation of section 3.3(1)(h) of the Wildlife Area Regulations, and did thereby commit an offence under subsection 13.01(1) of the Canada Wildlife Act.
Count 2) October 6, 2024
3.3 (1) No person shall enter any of the following wildlife areas except in accordance with a permit issued under section 4: (h) Akpait National Wildlife Area, as set out in item 1 TRANSPORT DESGAGNES INC did enter a Wildlife Area, to wit: Akpait National Wildlife Area, in violation of section 3.3(1)(h) of the Wildlife Area Regulations, and did thereby commit an offence under subsection 13.01(1) of the Canada Wildlife Act. |
| Enforcement notification: | Transport Desgagnés Inc. fined $40,000 for Canada Wildlife Act violations in Nunavut |
| Result: | Guilty Plea |
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| Date of conviction: | 2026-05-08 |
| Court level: | Provincial and Territorial Court |
| Nature of offense(s): |
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| Additional details about the nature of the offense: |
| Act | Regulations | Section(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Canada Wildlife Act | Wildlife Area Regulations | 3.3 (1)(h) |
| Date of sentencing: |
2026-05-08 |
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| Location of sentencing: | Iqaluit, Nunavut |
| Sentence(s): |
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| Amount of fine(s): | $40,000 |
| Sentencing details: |
On May 8, 2026, before the Nunavut Court of Justice, Transport Desgagnés Inc. pled guilty to two charges under the Canada Wildlife Act and were fined a total of $40,000. In the joint statement of facts, Transport Desgagnés admitted that its M/T Sarah Desgagnés, a product and chemical tanker vessel, transited through the Akpait National Wildlife Area (Territory of Nunavut) on September 29, 2024, and on October 6, 2024. In both cases, the tanker vessel did so without obtaining prior authorization from the Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service. The Crown and Transport Desgagnés inc. confirmed that there was no evidence of actual harm done to the protected natural habitat for migratory birds, species at risk or other wildlife, although, in certain circumstances, the sound of vessels at a certain speed may disturb marine mammals’ activities.
Pursuant to section 13.13(1) of the CWA, payment of the fines must be made to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund, created by the Government of Canada in 1995 for the purposes of court-ordered money for environmental offences. Overseen by Environment and Climate Change Canada, this fund is earmarked to be used in areas as close to the offences as possible.
The parties further request that the Court direct, pursuant to section 16(c) of the CWA, that TDI prepare and publish a notice in the Nunatsiaq News newspaper (paper and webpage version) within six months. Such notice will have to include a brief description of the offences, the fines paid and relevant details regarding the National Wildlife Areas in Nunavut. |