Developer receives $50,000 fine for Town of Oakville private tree by-law violation

Martillac Estates Inc., a Vaughan-based developer and builder, was fined $50,000 on November 18, 2021 at the Provincial Offences Court in Burlington for violating the Town of Oakville’s private tree protection by-law.

On April 17, 2020, Martillac Estates was charged for clear-cutting hundreds of trees at its development property located at 1359-1361 Dundas Street West. The trees were removed without first obtaining the required permits from the town.

The court proceedings against Martillac Estates relied on evidence provided by a municipal standards investigator and a private tree protection inspector with the Town of Oakville.

A joint-submission by the town prosecution and defence for the $50,000 fine was deemed appropriate for this first offence by Martillac Estates in light of a guilty plea early in the court process.

With a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge required by the Provincial Offences Act added to the fine, Martillac Estates has a year to pay more than $62,000. The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.

For more information, visit Private Tree Protection webpage.

QUOTES

“Our private tree protection by-law aims to preserve and protect our community’s urban forest and this case proves that we will hold property owners and developers accountable.”

– Mayor Rob Burton