Vaughan developer fined $50,000 for violating Oakville private tree by-law

Insauga.com
Nov. 30, 2021

A Vaughan-based developer will have to pay a $50,000 fine after illegally cutting trees down on its Oakville property.

Martillac Estates Inc. was awarded the fine at the Provincial Offences Court in Burlington on Nov. 18  for violating the Town of Oakville’s private tree protection by-law.

Back on April 17, 2020, Martillac Estates clear-cut hundreds of trees from its development property located at 1359-1361 Dundas Street West without first obtaining the required permits from the Town of Oakville.

“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,” said Oakville Mayor Rob Burton.

Evidence relied on in the court proceedings against Martillac Estates was 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.

Martillac Estates will have a year to pay the $62,000 owing in total, which includes a 25 per cent victim fine surcharge required by the Provincial Offences act.

The surcharge is credited to a special provincial government fund to assist victims of crime.