The Canadian Coast Guard (CCG) is pumping a dark, slick substance out of the St. Lawrence river that touches eastern Montreal on Friday.
On Thursday afternoon, the substance was spotted near Montreal’s Pointe-aux-Trembles neighbourhood, between 13th Avenue and Avenue du Tricentenaire, the Coast Guard said.
In a statement, Quebec’s Environment Ministry said an analysis indicates that the product is motor oil.
It said mitigation measures have been put in place and workers are containing the oil spill.
Emergency teams from the ministry are on the ground to implement those measures and “ensure the safety of the population and the protection of the environment.”
No land-based source has been found, according to the provincial ministry.
The City of Montreal said it sent inspectors to the site and is monitoring the situation.
It assures drinking water is “safe to consume.”
Until the situation is resolved, the borough of Rivière-des-Prairies—Pointe-aux-Trembles has closed its water access ramp.