Forward Regulatory Plan 2021 to 2023, Environment and Climate Change Canada, chapter 4

Enabling Act

Species at Risk Act

Description

Under section 58 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), Ministerial orders are required to protect the critical habitat on federal land when the critical habitat has been identified in a final posted recovery strategy.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

The Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations has written to the Department and the Minister regarding the delay in the making of critical habitat protection orders and the Minister’s obligations under subsections 58(4) and (5) on several occasions.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

These Orders support both a domestic and international cooperation initiative. Domestically, these Orders support the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk entered into in 1996 between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Internationally, these Orders support the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which was signed by more than 150 countries and was entered into in 1993. The objective of the Conventions is to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use components of biodiversity, and share in a fair and equitable way the benefits of biodiversity.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

Stakeholders include federal departments and federal land managers, wildlife management boards, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, businesses, and environmental non-government organizations.

Costs associated with orders on federal lands are expected to be borne primarily by other federal departments and businesses operating on federal lands. These costs are currently unknown for future critical habitat protection orders. Costs will depend on the activities undertaken on federal lands and where critical habitat is identified on federal lands. Applications for permits will be required where critical habitat is protected for any activity that could destroy that critical habitat, but are only issued if certain conditions are met.

Consultations

Pre-consultations with stakeholders and Indigenous peoples will be conducted prior to publication in the Canada Gazette.

Further information

Timing and further details are determined on a case-by-case basis and will be made available on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

ECCC contact

Paula Brand
Director, SARA Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 613-355-9453
Email: paula.brand@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2014-2016 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Species at Risk Act

Description

From time to time, orders may be made under s.61 or s.80 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to protect the critical habitat, individuals and residences on non-federal land of the species listed under the Act.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

These Orders support both a domestic and international cooperation initiative. Domestically, these Orders support the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk entered into in 1996 between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Internationally, these Orders support the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which was signed by more than 150 countries and was entered into in 1993. The objective of the Conventions is to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use components of biodiversity, and share in a fair and equitable way the benefits of biodiversity.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

Stakeholders include wildlife management boards, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, businesses, and environmental non-government organizations.

Costs associated with orders on non-federal lands could impact provinces, territories, Indigenous peoples, businesses, and Canadians, among others. These costs are currently unknown.

Applications for permits will be required where critical habitat is protected for any activity that could destroy that critical habitat or for activities contravening prohibitions included in a s.80 order, but are only issued if certain conditions are met.

Consultations

Pre-consultations with stakeholders and Indigenous peoples will be conducted prior to publication in the Canada Gazette.

Further information

Timing and further details are determined on a case-by-case basis and will be made available on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

ECCC contact

Paula Brand
Director, SARA Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 613-355-9453
Email: paula.brand@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2014-2016 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Species at Risk Act

Description

From time to time, orders may be made amending Schedule 1 to the Species at Risk Act (SARA) to add, reclassify or remove species, following the reception of status reports from the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC). The Minister issued in 2017 the Timeline for amendments to Schedule 1 of the Species at Risk Act policy, to expedite decision-making. This policy states that from the date that COSEWIC submits a species status assessment to the Minister of ECCC, that Minister will seek to obtain a Governor-in-Council decision on whether to amend Schedule 1 within the 24 months, for terrestrial species.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

The Joint Committee has written to the Department and the Minister on several occasions seeking clarification about the timelines related to section 27. Specifically, the Joint Committee has identified a delay in the Minister of the Environment forwarding species assessments to the Governor in Council (GIC). This issue is ongoing.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

These Orders support both a domestic and international cooperation initiative. Domestically, these Orders support the Accord for the Protection of Species at Risk entered into in 1996 between the federal, provincial, and territorial governments. Internationally, these Orders support the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which was signed by more than 150 countries and was entered into in 1993. The objective of the Conventions is to conserve biodiversity, sustainably use components of biodiversity, and share in a fair and equitable way the benefits of biodiversity.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

Stakeholders include other federal departments and federal land managers, wildlife management boards, businesses that operate on federal lands, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, and environmental non-government organizations.

Costs associated with these orders are expected to be borne primarily by other federal departments and businesses operating on federal lands. Costs to other federal departments and businesses are currently unknown for future amendments to Schedule 1 of SARA. These costs are assessed as part of each listing proposal and will depend on the activities undertaken on federal lands and where the species is found on that land. Costs could also be incurred in applying for permits which will be required where threatened and endangered species are found for activities that could jeopardize the species or its residence.

Consultations

Consultations with stakeholders and Indigenous peoples will take place before and after publication of the proposed orders in the Canada Gazette, Part I. A 30-day public comment period will also allow stakeholders and Indigenous peoples to provide comments on the proposal.

Further information

Timing and further details are determined on a case-by-case basis and will be made available on the Species at Risk Public Registry.

ECCC contact

Paula Brand
Director, SARA Policy and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 613-355-9453
Email: paula.brand@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2012-2014 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendments will designate the Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area (NWA) under the Canada Wildlife Act. The proposed Edéhzhíe NWA consists of an area of approximately 14 218 km² located in the traditional Dehcho territory in the southwestern part of the Northwest Territories. This land is under the management and authority of ECCC. Edéhzhíe is a spiritual place that is ecologically and physically unique. Its lands, waters, and wildlife are integral to the Dehcho Dene culture, language, and way of life. The proposed amendments will fulfill part of the Government of Canada’s commitment under the Edéhzhíe Establishment Agreement, which was signed by the Minister of the Environment and the Dehcho Grand Chief on October 11, 2018. The Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada committed to dual, overlapping designation of this area. Edéhzhíe was designated as a Dehcho Protected Area under Dehcho Law in June 2018.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

ECCC is working with the Dehcho First Nations to establish the Edéhzhíe NWA.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments will be of interest to local Indigenous peoples, the Government of Northwest Territories (subsurface rights) and a number of stakeholders including the tourism sector, the oil and gas sector, the mining sector, and conservation groups, although no significant impacts are anticipated.

Consultations

Protecting Edéhzhíe’s culturally important and ecologically diverse land has been a community driven process for over 20 years. Through the Edéhzhíe Establishment Agreement, the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada are partners in this protection. The protection of Edéhzhíe is supported by the Tłichô Government.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has held a number of meetings with local Indigenous peoples and with key stakeholders, including the oil and gas sector, conservation groups, the mining sector, the tourism sector, and the Government of the Northwest Territories.

The proposed amendments were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on March 6, 2021 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Backgrounder on Edéhzhie protected area

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2014-2016 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed NWA will consist of critically important coastal habitats throughout Atlantic Canada based on transfer of administration and control of surplus properties from the Canada Coast Guard. The lands would consist of important habitats that have intrinsic value for coastal biodiversity in general and offer refuges for species whose distributions are shifting due to climate change.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations, which will create a National Wildlife Area on remote lands that are already under federal jurisdiction and are not currently used for commercial purposes. The proposed regulations, will, therefore, have no impacts on international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. The proposed regulations will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local Indigenous peoples as well as a number of stakeholders including the tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

Public Services and Procurement Canada on behalf of ECCC led pre-consultation with key stakeholders, including Indigenous organisations, in 2019.

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in fall 2022 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed NWAs will consist of critically important coastal habitat for migratory birds in Atlantic Canada based on transfer of administration and control of surplus properties from the Canada Coast Guard. Country Island, off of Guysborough County, Nova Scotia, consists of an area of approximately 45 Ha. It supports the largest colony of breeding terns in Nova Scotia including three species: the Common Tern, the Arctic Tern and the SARA-listed (Endangered) Roseate Tern for which the island has been designated as Critical Habitat.

St. Paul Island consists of critically important coastal habitat for migratory birds in Atlantic Canada based on transfer of administration and control of surplus properties from the Canada Coast Guard. St. Paul Island, is an important stopover site for birds for birds migrating along the Atlantic flyway (crossing between Cape Breton and Newfoundland) and its boreal and temperate forests make it a unique area for biodiversity. It supports large numbers of endangered Bicknell’s Thrush as well as Leach’s Storm Petrel. The final name of the NWA will be determined in consultation with Indigenous partners.

Isle Haute consists of an area of approximately 81 hectares comprising the entire island located in the Bay of Fundy off of Cumberland County, Nova Scotia. ECCC is in the final stages of acquiring the lands that will make up the NWA from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard. It is home to more than 65 migratory bird species including the SARA-listed Peregrine Falcon. The final name of the NWA will be determined in consultation with Indigenous partners.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations will create National Wildlife Areas in areas already under federal jurisdiction that are not currently used for commercial purposes other than occasional use by tourist excursions. The proposed regulations, will, therefore, have no impacts on international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. The proposed regulations will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local Indigenous peoples as well as a number of stakeholders including the tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

Public Services and Procurement Canada on behalf of ECCC led pre-consultation with key stakeholders, including Indigenous organisations, in 2019.

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in fall 2021 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2020-2022 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has acquired administration and control of five parcels of land from Public Services and Procurement Canada surrounding Big Glace Bay Lake, Nova Scotia. Three of these parcels, surrounding the northern and eastern portions of the bay, are already within the existing boundaries of the Big Glace Bay Lake Migratory Bird Sanctuary (MBS). ECCC ownership of these properties allows for improvements on management for conservation of migratory birds. The remaining two properties, which are located at the southwest end of the Lake, will enable greater protection of the species within the Big Glace Bay Lake MBS but will require expansion of the current boundaries of the protected area. The intent is to designate the lands that are currently in the Big Glace Bay Lake MBS, as well as the newly acquired lands, as a National Wildlife Area under the Wildlife Area Regulations (WAR).

ECCC has recently acquired two parcels of lands to be added to Prince Edward Point NWA, which will expand the boundaries of the NWA, therefore providing enhanced protection to wildlife in the area.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

For Big Glace Bay Lake, the proposed regulations will protect the area that is currently protected as an MBS, as well as the additional lands, as an NWA under the WAR.

For Prince Edward Point NWA, the two lots of lands to be added to Schedule I of the WAR (which form a narrow strip currently separating the existing two sections of the NWA) have already been acquired by ECCC. Allowable activities for these lands will be consistent with the existing NWA, which the two additional lots will join.

These initiatives will not impact international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses as the land that will be protected is not currently used for commercial purposes. The proposed regulations will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local Indigenous peoples as well as to a number of stakeholders, including the tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada consulted with key stakeholders in 2020.

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in June 2021 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendment will de-list Unit 10 of the Prairie National Wildlife Area (NWA) in Part VI (Saskatchewan) of Schedule I of the Wildlife Area Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA).

The Prairie NWA was created in 1978 through a land transfer agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Biological inventories conducted at the time confirmed the presence of rare or at risk species and their habitats within certain units and the low conservation value of many of the other units.

Unit 10 needs to be de-listed so it may be exchanged for an area of native grasslands that is currently privately owned, is adjacent to Unit 11 of the Prairie NWA, which is of higher conservation value. These de-listing and exchange processes will allow this area of higher conservation value to subsequently, together with the lands of Unit 11, be designated as part of a proposed new NWA. An exemption from pre-publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I is being requested for this de-listing of Unit 10.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed de-listing of Unit 10, currently designated as a part of the Prairie NWA, will have no impacts on international trade or investment and is not expected to have any impacts on local business. The land is not currently used for commercial purposes.

Consultations

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II in 2021.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendment will de-list 21 units of the Prairie National Wildlife Area (NWA) in Part VI (Saskatchewan) of Schedule I of the Wildlife Area Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA), namely Units 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25 and 26.

The Prairie NWA was created in 1978 through a land transfer agreement with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Biological inventories conducted at the time confirmed the presence of rare or at risk species and their habitats within certain units and the low conservation value of many of the other units.

This amendment is a necessary step towards the de-listing of the Prairie NWA and the consolidation of the lands of high conservation value from existing Prairie NWA holdings into four new NWAs from existing land holdings, thereby improving the efficiency of the Saskatchewan Protected Areas program.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendment, which will de-list small parcels of land that do not meet current NWA establishment criteria and are not currently used for commercial purposes, will have no impacts on international trade or investment and is not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. De-listing of these lands from the Wildlife Area Regulations may be of interest to environmental non-government organizations and local Indigenous peoples.

Consultations

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in fall 2021 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendments will designate four National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA). These four NWAs will be created from existing federal land holdings that currently make up the Prairie NWA while at the same time the Prairie NWA will be de-listed. Specifically:

• Great Sandhills NWA – will be established as a 475 hectares NWA formed from existing Units 20 and 21 of the current Prairie NWA;
• Harris Sandhills NWA – will be established as a 374 hectares NWA formed from existing Unit 13 of the current Prairie NWA;
• Longspur NWA – will be established as a 193 hectares NWA formed from existing Unit 11 of the current Prairie NWA; and
• Moose Mountain Creek NWA – will be established as a 163 hectares NWA formed from existing Unit 27 of the current Prairie NWA.

Habitats for wildlife within these four areas include a mixture of trembling aspen forests, sand dunes and mixed grass prairies as well as fresh and saline wetlands. Many migratory birds and species at risk occur in these areas including Sprague’s Pipit, Loggerhead Shrike, Burrowing Owl and Slender Mouse-ear Cress, and deer, pronghorn, grouse and other wildlife are commonly observed.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments, which will reorganize federal lands that are currently designated as an NWA and are not currently used for commercial purposes will have no impacts on international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. As the proposed amendments are not designating any new land, but rather reorganizing current land holdings, interest from stakeholders is expected to be minimal.

Consultations

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in spring 2022 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendments will designate the Prairie Pastures National Wildlife Area (NWA) under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA). This NWA will protect the former community pastures of Govenlock, Nashlyn and Battle Creek, which encompass almost 800 square kilometres of native grassland and critical habitat for many species at risk.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations will create an NWA of land formerly managed by the Department of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The lands support livestock grazing, and recreational hunting, both of which will continue to be allowed under the proposed regulations. Livestock grazing is an activity that contributes to wildlife habitat conservation and will be authorized by a permit. The proposed regulations are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. They will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local residents and Indigenous peoples as well as to a number of stakeholders, including the recreational sector, tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada will be consulting with key stakeholders in 2021.

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in winter 2022 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2020-2022 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

The proposed amendments will designate three National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) under the Canada Wildlife Act (CWA). Specifically:

• Boucherville Islands NWA – could be constituted of nine separate islands found in the St. Lawrence River between the urban centres of East Montreal and Boucherville which may cover an area of 1.75 km² (175 ha);
• Varennes and Verchères Islands NWA – could be constituted of eleven islands found 15 km east of Montreal in the St. Lawrence River which may cover an area of 1.12 km² (112 ha); and
• Lake Saint-Pierre Islands NWA – could be constituted of seven separate islands found in the St. Lawrence River to the east of Sorel (Quebec) which may cover an area of 4.91 km² (491 ha).

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed regulations will create three National Wildlife Areas on islands that are, for the most part, uninhabited and which are not currently used for commercial purposes aside from occasional tourist excursions in the surrounding areas which will continue to be allowed as they are not expected to occur within the proposed NWAs. The proposed regulations will, therefore, have no impacts on international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses. The proposed regulations will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local residents and Indigenous peoples as well as a number of stakeholders including the recreational sector, tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada will be pre-consulting with key stakeholders and Indigenous organisations in 2020-2021.

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2023 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2019-2021 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

Description

The amendments will update and streamline the Migratory Birds Regulations in order to address issues, including hunting management, nest protection, enforcement and correct outdated references to Aboriginal peoples as well as recognize Aboriginal and treaty harvesting rights according to section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The Migratory Birds Convention Act and the Migratory Birds Regulations implement the Migratory Birds Convention, an agreement between the United States and Canada. While some differences exist, the regulations are largely aligned with those in the United States. ECCC has been in contact with the governments of the provinces, territories and the United States with respect to the modernization effort.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The amendments could affect migratory game bird hunters and hunting organizations, industry, conservation groups and Indigenous peoples among others, however, no significant impacts are anticipated.

Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada held consultations in 2014, and Canadians were invited to review the regulatory proposal and submit comments.

The proposed amendments were published in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 1, 2019 for a 60-day public comment period, which was extended to September 30, 2019. Final publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II is targeted for spring 2021.

Further information

Status of modernization of Migratory Birds Regulations.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2014-2016 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

Description

The proposed regulations will amend Schedule 1 of the Migratory Birds Regulations to adjust season dates and bag and possession limits for migratory game bird species by province and territory. This is done to achieve conservation goals and allow for recreational migratory game bird hunting in Canada.

Commencing with the 2014–15 hunting season, Environment and Climate Change Canada moved from an annual to a biennial regulatory amendment cycle for the hunting regulations. However, Environment and Climate Change Canada is continuing to evaluate the status of migratory game birds on an annual basis to ensure that urgent regulatory amendments can be made if necessary.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative will address an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

ECCC works collaboratively with the provincial and territorial governments, as well as the government of the United States, to develop the biennial hunting regulations. In addition, ECCC directly invites comments on the proposed regulations from Mexico, the Caribbean, Greenland, and St. Pierre and Miquelon.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments will be of interest to hunters, hunting organizations, conservation groups and the tourism sector, however, no significant impacts are anticipated.

Consultations

Environment and Climate Change Canada conducts extensive consultations on the hunting regulations with an array of stakeholders, including: the provinces/territories; wildlife management boards; the Governments of the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, Greenland and St. Pierre and Miquelon; U.S. State Governments; national and provincial conservation and hunter organizations; and other interested individuals.

As part of the consultation process for these amendments, a Notice of Intent was published in the Canada Gazette, Part I on January 18, 2020. The purpose of this notice is to inform stakeholders and the Canadian public that Environment and Climate Change Canada will be recommending regulatory amendments to the Migratory Birds Regulations for hunting. The notice also informs stakeholders of the publication of the report Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations, which outlines and explains the regulatory amendments that are proposed and provides information on the consultation process and invited comments during a 30-day comment period.

The publication of the final amendments in the Canada Gazette, Part II, is targeted for spring 2022.

Further information

Further information on migratory game bird hunting.

Consultation process on migratory game bird hunting regulations in Canada

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2020-2022 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act

Description

The proposed amendments will update and streamline the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations in order to implement decisions agreed to by various Conferences of the Parties to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), to resolve issues identified by ECCC’s Wildlife Enforcement Directorate and to reduce administrative burden on stakeholders.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

The Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations are primarily used for the implementation of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species. These amendments will support Canadian stakeholders intending to import or export with other Parties, such as the U.S., by aligning their regulatory processes. All Parties to the Convention are required to comply with CITES. Canadians wishing to import or export specimens of species or species groups added to the CITES Appendices with other Parties will require the appropriate permits from the Government of Canada and as such, Canada must comply with the CITES permit system to ensure regulatory compatibility with the other Parties and to support these Canadians.

The proposal is not expected to have an impact on regulatory coordination within Canada as there is ongoing cooperation with the provinces, territories and other federal departments, including Canada Border Services Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Natural Resources Canada and Global Affairs Canada.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments could be of interest to a wide variety of groups that import or export plant and animal specimens including trade and industry associations, Indigenous peoples, hunting and angling associations, environmental non-governmental organizations, as well as individual traders such as nurseries and breeders, museums, universities, zoos, furniture and musical instrument manufacturers, aquariums and other interested exporters and importers (tourists, pet owners, falconers etc.). However, no significant impacts are anticipated.

Consultations

The proposed amendments are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in fall 2021 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Further information on trade in protected species.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2018-2020 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Migratory Birds Convention Act

Description

The proposed amendments will change the name of certain Migratory Bird Sanctuaries (MBS) in Nunavut from English names to Inuktitut names. Under section 6.7 of the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in the Nunavut Settlement Area, the Area Co-Management Committees were tasked with identifying which CWS protected areas in Nunavut should be named in Inuktitut. The following MBSs are proposed for renaming:

• East Bay
• Harry Gibbons
• Dewey Soper
• Queen Maud Gulf
• McConnell River
• Seymour Island
• Prince Leopold Island

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

The proposed amendments will be of interest to beneficiaries of the Nunavut Settlement Agreement and Inuit organizations which are signatories to the Inuit Impact and Benefit Agreement for National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in the Nunavut Settlement Area.

Consultations

MBS Area Co-Management Committees and Regional Inuit Associations are being consulted on the proposed name changes and will chose the Inuktitut names. The proposed amendments are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, in fall 2021.

Further information

Migratory Bird Sanctuaries in Canada

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2021-2023 Forward Regulatory Plan

Enabling Act

Canada Wildlife Act

Description

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is working to acquire administration and control of two parcels of land from the Ontario Provincial government adjacent to Big Creek National Wildlife Area. ECCC ownership of these properties allows for improvements on management for conservation of migratory birds and wildlife, and will expand the boundaries of the NWA.

Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations

This initiative does not respond to an issue or concern raised by the Standing Joint Committee on the Scrutiny of Regulations.

Departmental regulatory stock review plan

This initiative is not associated with Environment and Climate Change Canada’s regulatory stock review plan.

Regulatory cooperation efforts (domestic and international)

This initiative does not require regulatory cooperation efforts.

Potential impacts on Canadians, including businesses

For Big Creek NWA, the two lots of lands to be added to Schedule I of the WAR (which are adjacent to lands in the southwest portion of the NWA) are in the process of being acquired by ECCC. Allowable activities for these lands will be consistent with the existing NWA which the two additional lots will join.

These initiatives will not impact international trade or investment and are not expected to have any impacts on local businesses as the land which will be protected is not currently used for commercial purposes. The proposed regulations will, nevertheless, likely be of interest to local Indigenous peoples as well as a number of stakeholders including the tourism sector and conservation groups.

Consultations

The proposed regulations are targeting publication in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in 2022 for a 30-day public comment period.

Further information

Additional information may be obtained using the contact below.

ECCC contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs
Telephone: 819-938-4105
Fax: 819-938-4147
Email: caroline.ladanowski@canada.ca

Date the regulatory initiative was first included in the Forward Regulatory Plan

2021-2023 Forward Regulatory Plan