The Mohawk Council of Kahnawà:ke (MCK) wishes to inform the community that the Council has formally withdrawn from litigation against the City of Châteauguay related to the 2024 fuel spill incident as announced at the monthly Community Meeting on February 25, 2026.
Following ongoing discussions with all parties involved, the MCK has received full reimbursement for cleanup expenses associated with the fuel spill. Canada has provided $478,000 in compensation, and the province of Quebec has contributed an additional $100,000 — bringing the total reimbursement to just under $600,000. Note that these figures recovered expenses associated with all tangible costs.
Kahnawà:ke Environment Protection Office (KEPO) and Environmental Health Services (EHS) of Kahnawà:ke Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) had conducted environmental assessments at the affected site of the original spill and advised that there is no longer an active environmental threat to the land, waters, or surrounding area. Based on this advice and internal recommendations, further legal action was deemed unnecessary. KEPO has included in its annual operations to continue to monitor the area.
The MCK had been first advised of this approach in Fall 2025. After several months of coordinated review and legal preparation, the MCK completed the formal withdrawal process in February 2026.
The MCK remains committed to protecting the land, ensuring environmental safety, and ensuring the responsible parties are held accountable to all issues affecting the community. The MCK also acknowledges the countless community members who responded to the mitigation measures.
