M-30.001 - Act respecting the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs

Updated to 14 December 2004

This document has official status.

chapter M-15.2.1

Act respecting the Ministère de l’Environnement

The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks exercises the functions of the Minister of the Environment provided for in this Act. Order in Council 173-2005 dated 9 March 2005, (2005) 137 G.O. 2 (French), 1043.

1999, c. 36, s. 136.

DIVISION I ORGANIZATION OF THE DEPARTMENT

1. The Ministère de l’Environnement shall be under the direction of the Minister of the Environment appointed under the Executive Power Act (chapter E‐18).

1994, c. 17, s. 1; 1999, c. 36, s. 137.

The Minister of the Environment is designated under the name of Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and Parks. The Ministère de l’Environnement is designated under the name of Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs. Order in Council 173-2005 dated 9 March 2005, (2005) 137 G.O. 2 (French), 1043.

2. The Government, in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F‐3.1.1), shall appoint a person as Deputy Minister of the Environment.

1994, c. 17, s. 2; 1999, c. 36, s. 137.

3. Under the direction of the Minister, the Deputy Minister shall administer the department.

He shall, in addition, perform any other function assigned to him by the Government or the Minister.

1994, c. 17, s. 3.

4. In the performance of his functions, the Deputy Minister has the authority of the Minister.

1994, c. 17, s. 4.

5. The Deputy Minister may, in writing and to the extent he indicates, delegate the exercise of his functions under this Act to a public servant or the holder of a position.

He may, in the instrument of delegation, authorize the subdelegation of the functions he indicates, and in that case shall specify the title of the public servant or holder of a position to whom they may be subdelegated.

1994, c. 17, s. 5.

6. The personnel of the department shall consist of the public servants required for the performance of the functions of the Minister; they shall be appointed in accordance with the Public Service Act (chapter F-3.1.1).

The Minister shall determine the duties of the public servants where they are not determined by law or by the Government.

1994, c. 17, s. 6; 2000, c. 8, s. 242.

7. The signature of the Minister or Deputy Minister gives authority to any document emanating from the department.

No deed, document or writing is binding on the Minister or may be attributed to him unless it is signed by him, the Deputy Minister, a member of the personnel of the department or the holder of a position and, in the latter two cases, only so far as determined by the Government.

1994, c. 17, s. 7.

8. The Government may, on the conditions it determines, allow the signature of the Minister or Deputy Minister to be affixed by means of an automatic device to the documents it determines.

The Government may also allow a facsimile of the signature to be engraved, lithographed or printed on the documents it determines. The facsimile must be countersigned by a person authorized by the Minister.

1994, c. 17, s. 8.

9. Any document or copy of a document emanating from the department or forming part of its records, signed or certified by a person referred to in the second paragraph of section 7, is authentic.

1994, c. 17, s. 9.

DIVISION II FUNCTIONS AND POWERS

10. The Minister of the Environment shall be in charge of ensuring, with a view to sustainable development, the protection of the environment.

1994, c. 17, s. 10; 1999, c. 36, s. 138.

11. The Minister shall elaborate and propose to the Government policies regarding, in particular,

(1)  the protection of ecosystems and biodiversity;

(2)  the prevention, abatement or elimination of water, air and soil contamination;

(3)  (subparagraph repealed);

(4)  the establishment and management of aquatic reserves, biodiversity reserves, ecological reserves and man-made landscapes;

(5)  the protection of threatened or vulnerable plant species;

(6)  the development and carrying out of activities related to observation and knowledge of nature.

The Minister shall be responsible for the implementation and coordination of these policies.

1994, c. 17, s. 11; 1999, c. 36, s. 139; 2002, c. 74, s. 82.

12. For the purpose of performing his functions, the Minister may, in particular,

(1)  enter into an agreement, according to law, with a government other than that of Québec, a department of such a government, an international organization or an agency of such a government or organization;

(2)  enter into agreements with any person, municipality, group or body;

(3)  carry out or commission research, inventories, studies and analyses;

(4)  obtain from government departments and public bodies the information required to elaborate and implement his policies, plans and programs;

(5)  compile, analyze, communicate, publish and disseminate the information available to him, in particular that obtained pursuant to section 2.2 of the Environment Quality Act (chapter Q-2);

(6)  advise the Government on any matter within his competence.

1994, c. 17, s. 12; 2004, c. 24, s. 2.

13. The Minister shall have authority over the waters in the domain of the State and shall be responsible for the management of water as a natural resource.

For these purposes, the Minister may carry out or commission studies concerning the dangers of flooding, soil erosion and landslides and implement long-term programs to prevent or lessen the damage caused by those phenomena.

1994, c. 17, s. 13; 1999, c. 40, s. 181; 2000, c. 60, s. 1.

13.1. The Minister shall exercise in respect of the lands in the domain of the State under the Minister’s authority the rights and powers inherent in the right of ownership, excluding any alienation, transfer or exchange of property. The exercise by the Minister of those rights and powers must be compatible with the use of the land under the Minister’s authority or on which the property is situated.

In respect of such land, the Minister may, in particular, authorize or carry out such maintenance, development and construction work as is advisable to maintain or improve its quality.

The Minister may also take any necessary measures to remedy or mitigate any damage sustained by the natural environment on such lands and may claim the costs incurred from the person responsible in the same manner as any debt due to the Government.

The lands in the domain of the State referred to in section 2 of the Watercourses Act (chapter R-13) are excluded from the lands to which the first paragraph applies.

2002, c. 74, s. 83.

14. Any person authorized by the Minister may, in the performance of his duties, enter upon land in the private domain. He shall, if so required, identify himself and show the certificate of his capacity signed by the Minister.

The person who, as owner or lessee or in any other capacity has the custody of the land shall give free access to the land at any reasonable time to the person referred to in the first paragraph, in particular for the purpose of carrying out the research, inventories, studies or analyses required to assess the location, quantity, quality or vulnerability of groundwater present in the land, subject, however, to that person restoring the premises to their former state and compensating the owner or custodian of the land, as the case may be, for any damage. In addition, access to the land is subject to the requirement that the owner or custodian be given prior notice of at least 48 hours of the person’s intention to enter upon the land for the above-mentioned purposes.

Whoever contravenes the provisions of the second paragraph or hinders an authorized person in the exercise of the person’s duties, is liable to a fine of not less than $500 and not more than $5,000. The fine is doubled in the case of a second or subsequent offence.

1994, c. 17, s. 14; 2002, c. 53, s. 19.

15. The Minister shall table a report of the activities of the Ministère de l’Environnement in the National Assembly for each fiscal year, within six months after the end of the year if the Assembly is in session or, if it is not sitting, within 30 days after resumption.

1994, c. 17, s. 15; 1999, c. 36, s. 140.

DIVISION III AMENDING PROVISIONS

16. (Omitted).

1994, c. 17, s. 16.

CITIES AND TOWNS ACT

17. (Amendment integrated into c. C-19, s. 412).

1994, c. 17, s. 17.

18. (Amendment integrated into c. C-19, s. 573.5).

1994, c. 17, s. 18.

19. (Amendment integrated into c. C-19, s. 573.7).

1994, c. 17, s. 19.

20. (Amendment integrated into c. C-19, s. 573.8).

1994, c. 17, s. 20.

MUNICIPAL CODE OF QUÉBEC

21. (Amendment integrated into c. C-27.1, a. 555).

1994, c. 17, s. 21.

22. (Amendment integrated into c. C-27.1, a. 939).

1994, c. 17, s. 22.

23. (Amendment integrated into c. C-27.1, a. 941).

1994, c. 17, s. 23.

24. (Amendment integrated into c. C-27.1, a. 942).

1994, c. 17, s. 24.

ACT RESPECTING THE COMMUNAUTÉ URBAINE DE L’OUTAOUAIS

25. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.1, s. 83.3).

1994, c. 17, s. 25.

26. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.1, s. 83.5).

1994, c. 17, s. 26.

27. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.1, s. 83.6).

1994, c. 17, s. 27.

28. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.1, ss. 113, 114, 118, 126).

1994, c. 17, s. 28.

29. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.1, s. 144).

1994, c. 17, s. 29.

ACT RESPECTING THE COMMUNAUTÉ URBAINE DE MONTRÉAL

30. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.2, s. 120.1).

1994, c. 17, s. 30.

31. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.2, s. 120.3).

1994, c. 17, s. 31.

32. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.2, s. 120.4).

1994, c. 17, s. 32.

33. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.2, ss. 133, 141 to 144, 151.0.1, 151.2, 151.2.1).

1994, c. 17, s. 33.

34. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.2, s. 223).

1994, c. 17, s. 34.

ACT RESPECTING THE COMMUNAUTÉ URBAINE DE QUÉBEC

35. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.3, s. 92.1).

1994, c. 17, s. 35.

36. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.3, s. 92.3).

1994, c. 17, s. 36.

37. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.3, s. 92.4).

1994, c. 17, s. 37.

38. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.3, ss. 126 to 128, 130, 136, 136.2, 136.3).

1994, c. 17, s. 38.

39. (Amendment integrated into c. C-37.3, s. 158).

1994, c. 17, s. 39.

ACT RESPECTING THE CONSERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF WILDLIFE

40. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 2).

1994, c. 17, s. 40.

41. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 4).

1994, c. 17, s. 41.

42. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 128.2).

1994, c. 17, s. 42.

43. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 128.9).

1994, c. 17, s. 43.

44. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 188).

1994, c. 17, s. 44.

45. (Amendment integrated into c. C-61.1, s. 192).

1994, c. 17, s. 45.

ACT RESPECTING THREATENED OR VULNERABLE SPECIES

46. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 6).

1994, c. 17, s. 46.

47. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 7).

1994, c. 17, s. 47.

48. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 8).

1994, c. 17, s. 48.

49. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 9).

1994, c. 17, s. 49.

50. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 10).

1994, c. 17, s. 50.

51. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 11).

1994, c. 17, s. 51.

52. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 12).

1994, c. 17, s. 52.

53. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, ss. 13 to 19, 23, 25, 26, 28, 29, 33, 39, 41, 47).

1994, c. 17, s. 53.

54. (Amendment integrated into c. E-12.01, s. 57).

1994, c. 17, s. 54.

EXECUTIVE POWER ACT

55. (Amendment integrated into c. E-18, s. 4).

1994, c. 17, s. 55.

ACT RESPECTING THE MINISTÈRE DES AFFAIRES MUNICIPALES

56. (Amendment integrated into c. M-22.1, s. 7.1).

1994, c. 17, s. 56.

GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENTS ACT

57. (Amendment integrated into c. M-34, s. 1).

1994, c. 17, s. 57.

ENVIRONMENT QUALITY ACT

58. (Amendment integrated into c. Q-2, s. 1).

1994, c. 17, s. 58.

59. (Amendment integrated into c. Q-2, s. 2).

1994, c. 17, s. 59.

60. (Amendment integrated into c. Q-2, ss. 116.1, 118.4).

1994, c. 17, s. 60.

WATERCOURSES ACT

61. (Amendment integrated into c. R-13, ss. 1, 2).

1994, c. 17, s. 61.

62. (Amendment integrated into c. R-13, s. 2.2).

1994, c. 17, s. 62.

63. (Amendment integrated into c. R-13, ss. 7, 8, 23, 24, 34, 35, 40, 41, 58, 59, 65, 73, 74, 81, 84, forms 1 to 3).

1994, c. 17, s. 63.

ACT RESPECTING SAFETY IN SPORTS

64. (Amendment integrated into c. S-3.1, s. 17).

1994, c. 17, s. 64.

65. (Amendment integrated into c. S-3.1, s. 73).

1994, c. 17, s. 65.

ACT RESPECTING THE SOCIÉTÉ QUÉBÉCOISE D’ASSAINISSEMENT DES EAUX

66. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 21).

1994, c. 17, s. 66.

67. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 27).

1994, c. 17, s. 67.

68. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 27.1).

1994, c. 17, s. 68.

69. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 37).

1994, c. 17, s. 69.

70. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 38).

1994, c. 17, s. 70.

71. (Amendment integrated into c. S-18.2.1, s. 46).

1994, c. 17, s. 71.

ECOLOGICAL RESERVES ACT

72. (Amendment integrated into c. R-26.1, s. 2).

1994, c. 17, s. 72.

73. (Amendment integrated into c. R-26.1, s. 4).

1994, c. 17, s. 73.

74. (Amendment integrated into c. R-26.1, ss. 6, 23).

1994, c. 17, s. 74.

75. The words “Minister of the Environment”, “Ministère de l’Environnement” and “Deputy Minister of the Environment” are replaced respectively by the words “Minister of the Environment and Wildlife”, “Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Faune” and “Deputy Minister of the Environment and Wildlife”, wherever they appear in

(1)  (amendment integrated into c. A-19.1, ss. 165.2, 227.1);

(2)  (amendment integrated into c. C-56.1, ss. 3, 12, 28);

(3)  (amendment integrated into c. H-5, s. 32);

(4)  (amendment integrated into c. I-1, s. 18.2);

(5)  (amendment integrated into c. M-13.1, ss. 122, 156, 164, 206, 232.5, 232.11);

(6)  (amendment integrated into c. P-9.2, ss. 3, 4, 6);

(7)  (amendment integrated into c. P-9.3, ss. 8, 128, 132);

(8)  (amendment integrated into c. P-37, s. 1);

(9)  (amendment integrated into c. P-38.01, ss. 10, 36);

(10)  (amendment integrated into c. P-43, s. 1);

(11)  (amendment integrated into c. V-5.1, s. 21);

(12)  (amendment integrated into c. V-6.1, s. 20);

(13)  (amendment integrated into c. E-13.1, ss. 2, 5, 7).

1994, c. 17, s. 75.

76. The words “Minister of Recreation, Fish and Game”, “Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche” and “Deputy Minister of Recreation, Fish and Game” are replaced respectively by the words “Minister of the Environment and Wildlife”, “Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Faune” and “Deputy Minister of the Environment and Wildlife”, wherever they appear in

(1)  (amendment integrated into c. A-29, s. 65);

(2)  (amendment integrated into c. D-13.1, s. 1);

(3)  (amendment integrated into c. E-20.1, s. 7);

(4)  (amendment integrated into c. F-4.1, s. 28.2);

(5)  (amendment integrated into c. P-7, s. 1);

(6)  (amendment integrated into c. P-8, ss. 1, 3, 5);

(7)  (amendment integrated into c. P-9, s. 1);

(8)  (amendment integrated into c. P-30.2, ss. 7, 19).

1994, c. 17, s. 76.

FINAL PROVISIONS

77. Unless the context indicates otherwise, in any other Act and in any regulation, by-law, order in council, ministerial order, proclamation, order, contract, agreement, accord or other document,

(1)  a reference to the Minister or Deputy Minister of the Environment or the Ministère de l’Environnement or to the Minister or Deputy Minister of Recreation, Fish and Game or the Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche is, according to the matter concerned, a reference to the Minister or Deputy Minister of the Environment and Wildlife or the Ministère de l’Environnement et de la Faune or to the Minister or Deputy Minister of Municipal Affairs or the Ministère des Affaires municipales;

(2)  a reference to the Act respecting the Ministère de l’Environnement (chapter M-15.2), the Act respecting the Ministère du Loisir, de la Chasse et de la Pêche (chapter M-30.1) or any provision thereof is, according to the matter concerned, a reference to this Act, the Act respecting the Ministère des Affaires municipales (chapter M-22.1) or the corresponding provision of either Act.

1994, c. 17, s. 77.

78. (Omitted).

1994, c. 17, s. 78.

REPEAL SCHEDULE

In accordance with section 9 of the Act respecting the consolidation of the statutes and regulations (chapter R-3), chapter 17 of the statutes of 1994, in force on 1 September 1994, is repealed, except section 78, effective from the coming into force of chapter M-15.2.1 of the Revised Statutes.