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

Annual Report to Parliament for 2023

Highlights

International: ECCC’s enforcement officers participated in INTERPOL’s Operation Thunder 2023, an annual global enforcement operation working across borders to identify, disrupt, and dismantle criminal and organized crime networks involved in trafficking wild plant and animal species including timber species. Op Thunder 2023 involved 133 countries worldwide and resulted in 2 114 seizures through this major international law enforcement operation.

Domestic: On November 9, 2023, the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations were amended to strengthen trade restrictions for the import and re-export of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn. Import and export permits for raw elephant ivory and raw rhinoceros horn (including hunting trophies) will no longer be granted, except for zoos, museums, scientific purposes, or enforcement activities. The personal effects and household effects permit exemption was removed for worked elephant tusk and rhinoceros horn (which is ivory and horn that has been carved, shaped or processed, either fully or partially), meaning that all elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn entering or leaving Canada now requires a permit. The new restrictions came into force on January 8, 2024.

Exports: The Rhodiola genus was listed in CITES Appendix II at the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) in November 2022, which means that export of Rhodiola requires a permit. The listing became effective in February 2023. Rhodiola rosea is indigenous to Canada and grown in Canada for medicinal purposes. There were 13 permits issued for this medicinal plant for the associations representing the rhodiola growers in Canada. Over 6 300 kg of Rhodiola rosea root was exported from Canada in 2023.

In 2023, there were 6 250 permits issued for the export and re-export of CITES species from Canada, a 28% increase from 2022 (but 16% less than 2019 pre-COVID volumes). These permits authorized 56 223 shipments of CITES species (of these, 49 413 were shipments of American Ginseng and 6 141 were biomedical samples) which represented a 284% increase from 2022.

Imports: In 2023, 166 CITES import permits were issued, only 5 more permits than in 2022. These were primarily for the import of old ivory, captive bred Arowana, and live orchids. In addition, 5 permits were issued for the import of salamanders, which are posing a risk to Canadian ecosystems.

Enforcement: ECCC conducted 6 431 inspections under WAPPRIITA. Most inspections focused on foreign species at high conservation risk. There were 381 offences of WAPPRIITA or its regulations that resulted in administrative monetary penalties, tickets or warnings. There were also 4 successful prosecutions and 2 arrests related to offences under WAPPRIITA that involved unlawful polar bear exports, the illegal import of European eel, the illegal trade of black bear gall bladders, and the unlawful importation of crocodile meat.

1. Introduction

Under section 28 of the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA), the Minister of the Environment shall annually prepare a report with respect to the administration of the Act. This report covers the administration of the Act for the year 2023.

1.1 CITES and WAPPRIITA

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) came into force in 1975 and has been adopted by 184 countries. CITES regulates the trade and international movement of animal and plant species that are, or may become, threatened with over-exploitation because of trade pressures. Such species are considered and, where appropriate, adopted by the Parties to the Convention and then listed in 1 of 3 appendices according to the degree of protection needed.

WAPPRIITA and the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (WAPTR), which came into force on May 14, 1996, provide Canada with the authority to regulate trade in animal and plant species to meet its international obligations under CITES.

The purpose of WAPPRIITA is to protect Canadian and foreign species of animals and plants that may be at risk of overexploitation because of unsustainable or illegal trade, and to safeguard the Canadian ecosystem from the introduction of harmful species of animals and plants, particularly by implementing CITES and regulating international and interprovincial trade in animals and plants. In addition to including the key prohibitions and permitting authorities necessary to implement CITES, WAPPRIITA prohibits the import of species taken, possessed, distributed or transported in contravention of any law of any foreign state.

WAPTR, among other things, defines the animals and plants that are subject to the different prohibitions under WAPPRIITA, clarifies permitting authorities, and provides exemptions to permitting requirements. WAPTR also specifies that the import of listed species which may be deemed injurious to Canadian ecosystems require a permit. WAPTR includes 3 schedules that list animal and plant species for the following reasons:

1.2 Responsibilities in administering WAPPRIITA

ECCC is responsible for the administration and enforcement of WAPPRIITA and WAPTR and is the designated Management Authority and Scientific Authority for the purpose of CITES.

As the Management Authority, ECCC has the overall responsibility for verifying and validating requests for international trade of specimens of animals and plants that are regulated under CITES originating from, or destined for, Canada. This responsibility includes issuing CITES permits and certificates.

As the Scientific Authority, ECCC has the overall responsibility for determining whether the international trade of a species is detrimental to its survival. This responsibility includes monitoring the international trade of wild animals and plants to and from Canada to ensure that current levels of trade are sustainable.

Fisheries and Oceans Canada is responsible for the issuance of permits and validation of export requests for specimens of CITES-listed aquatic species. More information on the roles and responsibilities of federal departments in the implementation and administration of CITES can be found online.

Furthermore, ECCC oversees the enforcement of WAPPRIITA, which is carried out in cooperation with other federal departments and agencies, such as the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and with provincial and territorial wildlife agencies. Border officials play an important role at ports of entry, manually verifying and validating permits and referring shipments to ECCC personnel for inspection, as required.

ECCC maintains enforcement agreements and memoranda of understanding with Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Alberta, British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia and Nunavut. The agreements and memoranda of understanding establish a collaborative approach to enforcing WAPPRIITA and support provincial and territorial partners in the administration and enforcement of WAPPRIITA in accordance with their own legislation. The collaboration between Canada and its provincial and territorial partners is advantageous because it results in better coordination of efforts and resources in undertaking wildlife enforcement actions, especially large-scale operations. 

2. Assessing the risk to species from trade

Countries exporting specimens of species listed in CITES Appendices I or II must provide a scientific determination that such export will not be detrimental to the survival of the species in the wild. This determination is referred to as a non-detriment finding (NDF). Some countries, such as the United States and member countries of the European Union, enforce regulations that are stricter than CITES, leading to a higher level of scrutiny when they are considering exports and NDFs from exporting countries.

2.1 Non-detriment findings

Canada's NDFs are consistent with Resolutions adopted by the CITES Conference of the Parties, the Guidance for CITES Scientific Authorities produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and guidance provided by the CITES Secretariat.

In Canada, NDFs are determined on a permit-by-permit basis. For frequently traded species, standing NDF reports are prepared to support the issuance of export permits. Canada's species-specific standing NDF reports are developed by the federal-provincial/territorial CITES Scientific Authorities working group, with participation and review by species experts and Indigenous peoples. Canada has standing NDF reports that cover the majority of Canada's trade, which include: American Ginseng, Atlantic Sturgeon, Black Bear, Bobcat, Canadian Lynx, Cougar, Goldenseal, Grey Wolf, Grizzly Bear, Narwhal, Polar Bear, River Otter, and Sandhill Crane. Standing NDF reports are reviewed periodically and, if necessary, updated with the most recent information.

No standing NDF reports were updated for 2023. Canada's Standing NDF Reports can be found online.

3. Management of wild animals and plants in trade

The effective implementation of CITES depends on international cooperation to regulate cross-border movement of listed species through a global system of permits that are verified at international borders.

3.1 Permitting overview

In Canada, CITES permits are issued pursuant to WAPPRIITA. Schedule I of WAPTR includes all CITES-listed species.

3.1.1 Requirements

There are different permit requirements depending on the CITES appendix under which the species is listed:

• Appendix I species require both an import and export permit
• Appendix II species require an export permit
• Appendix III species require an export permit or a certificate of origin

Table 1 describes the various types of permits and certificates that are issued under WAPPRIITA.

3.1.2 Exemptions

WAPPRIITA authorizes exemptions in specific situations for the import and export of CITES‑listed species without permits. The WAPTR specify 4 exemptions: tourist souvenirs, personal effects, household effects and certain hunting trophies. The hunting trophy exemption applies to fresh, frozen or salted trophies of Black Bear and Sandhill Crane, acquired and possessed by individuals through legal hunting in Canada or the United States. More information on exemptions is available online.

Canadian threatened or endangered species listed on Schedule III of the WAPTR are not included in these exemptions and require all necessary CITES permits.

3.1.3 Service standards under WAPPRIITA

ECCC has established service standards for WAPPRIITA permit decisions and the issuance of permits. ECCC's goal is to provide permit decisions within a certain number of days (depending on the permit type), and to meet these standards for at least 90% of all permit applications. The performance is tracked on a fiscal year basis (which is, from April 1 to March 31 of the following year).

For the period covering April 1, 2023 to March 31, 2024, performance targets for all CITES permit categories were met. The percentage of permit decisions made within the service standards were:

• 92% hunting trophy exports
• 93% Polar Bear exports
• 95% for all other permit types

Only 8 applications were received for WAPTR injurious wildlife permits during the year. Seven out of the 8 decisions were made within the standard of 70 calendar days. ECCC's performance history against this standard is published online.

3.2 CITES permits issued in

CITES permits are issued by ECCC, New Brunswick, British Columbia, Yukon and Fisheries and Oceans Canada. Figure 1 sets out the division of responsibility for the issuing of permits and certificates.

3.2.1 Export permits and re-export certificates

Canadian CITES permitting offices issued 6'250 CITES export permits and re-export certificates under WAPPRIITA. The number of permits issued increased by 28% compared to 2022. The levels have almost returned to 2019 levels (16% lower than 2019), as international trade and travel nears a full recovery from the impact of COVID-19. Table 2 shows the number of export permits and re-export certificates issued in 2023 by Canadian CITES permitting offices.

The number of permits issued is not indicative of trade volumes as there is not a one-to-one relationship between permits issued and the quantity of specimens on the permit. Each species and their parts or derivatives are listed on a permit. An export permit or re-export certificate may authorize the export of multiple specimens (such as biomedical samples, for example, blood, serum, or microscope slides), or it may authorize large quantities of a specimen (such as Bobcat or Lynx skins from a fur auction).

When a species is protected under CITES, a permit is required for all specimens of that species (unless exemptions apply). A specimen can be the live species, parts or derivatives of the species, or finished products made from the species. There are over 40 900 species listed under CITES with 34 310 of those species being plants (such as Orchids, Cacti, and trees) and 6 590 species of animals. While there is a small number of species listed under CITES which are indigenous to Canada, many foreign species are imported into Canada and either re-exported, bred or propagated in Canada, or transformed into finished products in Canada.

In 2023, Canada issued export permits and re-export certificates for the following purposes of transaction^{Footnote 1}:

• hunting trophies
• personal use
• scientific research
• commercial purposes
• biomedical research
• breeding
• other

Figure 2 shows the percentage of distribution of export permits and re-export certificates, by purpose of transaction, issued in 2023. Figure 3 shows the percentage of distribution of export permits and re-export certificates, by purpose of transaction, issued between 2015 and 2023.

Table 3 indicates the number of permits issued in each of the past 10 calendar years for the export of Polar Bears harvested in Canada. The permits may include any Polar Bear specimen – for example skin, skull, claws, or baculum. Permits for scientific samples are not included in this analysis. Since an export permit may relate to polar bears harvested many years prior, there is no correlation between the bears harvested and the export permits issued each year. Note: the number of export permits issued per year for polar bear exports has been in decline.

*Harvest season is counted from July to June of the following year. For example, harvest season 2018-2019 started on July 1, 2018, and finished on June 30, 2019.

*N/A would be for bear specimens that were harvested prior to 2012-13 or found specimens (such as, skulls)

Note: Even if a permit for a specific Polar Bear is issued in a calendar year, the actual export may not take place for various reasons (for example the permit expired before shipment could take place, cancelled shipment, or changes from rug to full mount). A permit could be reissued in the same calendar year or subsequent years for a specific Polar Bear, procedures are in place to ensure no duplication.

3.2.2 Export or re-export permits for multiple shipments

An export permit or re-export certificate may authorize multiple shipments of specimens. The permit or certificate holder is responsible for identifying the destination, specific specimens and quantities that make up each shipment. This provides a simplified procedure for permit holders who trade in specimens with very little or no impact to the conservation of species. Of the 6,250 export permits and re-export certificates listed in Table 2, there were 1 087 for multiple shipments, authorizing 56 223 shipments. By far, the largest share of multiple shipment permits was issued to growers and distributors of American Ginseng (49 413), with the next largest share being for shipments of biomedical samples (6 141).

In Canada, the export of a small quantity of artificially propagated American Ginseng for personal use (up to 4.5 kg) is authorized through a simplified permitting procedure using ginseng stickers. A permit sticker identifying the permit number which authorizes the multiple shipments accompanies each individual shipment. Individual stickers accounted for 83% (46 864 of the 56 223) of the multiple/ shipment permits authorized in 2023.

Since 2021, the CITES office of ECCC implements a special export program for artificially propagated ginseng whereby Ontario ginseng growers in good standing with the Ontario Ginseng Growers Association (OGGA) qualify for permits valid for 12-months which are automatically renewed. This program has significantly reduced administrative burden for ginseng growers who were previously submitting applications for permits every 6 months. It has also addressed issues with large ginseng shipments arriving at the destination country with expired permits due to shipping delays. Seventy-one out of the 165 Ontario ginseng growers in good standing with OGGA are registered with the program.

3.2.3 Imports into Canada

Figure 4 indicates the distribution of 166 CITES import permits issued in 2023, by purpose of transaction. Figure 5 indicates the percentage of overall CITES import permits issued from 2015 to 2023, by purpose of transaction.

Note: The imports for commercial purposes consist mainly of artificially propagated plants, pre-CITES specimens (such as antiques containing ivory) and captive-bred animals (such as falcons and parrots).

3.2.4 Specialized CITES certificates

As indicated in Table 1, there are 3 types of specialized CITES certificates that allow movement of CITES-listed specimens under specific circumstances: certificates of ownership, temporary movement certificates and scientific certificates. While these specialized certificates represent a modest number of permits issued each year, they serve a very important function by facilitating the movement of specimens of CITES-listed species in low-risk situations.

3.2.5 Annual report to CITES

Every country that is Party to CITES is required to submit to the CITES Secretariat an annual report by October 31 covering actions in the preceding calendar year (for example, the 2022 annual report was due on October 31, 2023). The data from the annual reports are included in the database maintained for the CITES Secretariat and provide the basis for comparative trade analysis, the Review of Significant Trade, quota management, identification of Parties with high trade volumes under the National Legislation Project, reports to various fora and overall compliance and enforcement.

Figure 6 highlights some of the most important exports and re-exports reported by Canada in its 2022 CITES annual report. In 2022, Canada issued permits for nearly 300 different CITES-listed species^{Footnote 2}.

*May include skin, body, trophy, garment or skulls.

¹ bred in captivity in Canada

² 1 piano = 52 ivory pieces

3.3 Injurious wildlife permits (import only)

In addition to import permits required under CITES, Canada requires import permits, referred to as injurious wildlife permits, for certain species that may pose a risk to Canadian ecosystems, but do not necessarily appear in the CITES appendices. Injurious wildlife permits are most commonly issued to allow the import of live animals for exhibits at zoos or for research by scientific institutions. The targeted species are listed in Schedule II of WAPTR and include Raccoon Dogs, Mongooses, Starlings, Mynas, and Oxpeckers as well as all species under the order Caudata, which includes Salamanders, Newts and Mudpuppies.

3.4 Canada's trading partners

The United States, the member countries of the European Union and the countries of East and Southeast Asia continue to be Canada's major trading partners under CITES, particularly for exports. In 2023, exports to the United States and the European Union covered a wide range of specimens and species. In the case of East and Southeast Asia, cultivated American Ginseng was the most commonly exported species from Canada, with these regions accounting for the majority of Canada's exports for ginseng. Canada also exported a large number of captive bred falcons (498 in 2023) primarily to Middle Eastern countries (Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates).

4. Compliance promotion and enforcement of CITES and WAPPRIITA

ECCC works in partnership with a broad range of law enforcement partners to promote and verify compliance with WAPPRIITA. These partners include the Canada Border Services Agency, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Transport Canada, Natural Resources Canada, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, provincial and territorial law enforcement and conservation authorities, as well as the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

ECCC also promotes and verifies compliance with CITES on the international stage. ECCC is an active partner with the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) participating yearly in Operation Thunder, an INTERPOL and World Customs Organization operation targeting the illegal trafficking of CITES species.

4.1 Compliance promotion

Compliance promotion initiatives educate Canadians about the impacts of illegal wildlife trade and provide information on the species that cannot be moved across Canadian borders without a WAPPRIITA permit.

In 2023, ECCC continued to promote compliance with CITES and WAPPRIITA by providing guidance on its website. The website includes information on trade impacts on animals and plants, WAPPRIITA (and its regulations) and CITES. ECCC was also able to continue to promote compliance through informational displays located at various venues, including airports, science centres, zoos, customs offices, and border crossings.

With respect to the new strengthened restrictions on the import and export of elephant tusk (ivory) and rhinoceros horn, ECCC promoted compliance through:

• emails sent out to stakeholders
• web content
• social media posts
• notification to the CITES parties
• information sessions for stakeholders

4.2 Enforcement activities

ECCC enforcement officers conduct inspections, review permits, audit import and export declarations, and verify items at ports of entry. They also conduct investigations to determine penal liability and collect evidence to support prosecutions. They collect data, share information with provincial, territorial and national partners, as well as international enforcement organisations. They also follow up on valuable tips provided by partners and the public.

4.2.1 Inspections

Inspections verify that the import and export of animals and plants comply with the requirements under WAPPRIITA. Inspections are either proactively planned or conducted in response to a referral from another federal department or agency (such as the CBSA), a provincial or territorial government, or the public. Most of the inspections conducted under WAPPRIITA focus on foreign species at high conservation risk (such as CITES-listed shark fins, eels, ivory tusks and horns of various mammals and plants). ECCC enforcement officers use a risk-based approach to guide efforts.

In 2023, ECCC enforcement officers conducted 6 431 inspections compared to 3 886 inspections in 2022. This difference can be attributed to the end of pandemic restrictions related to travel, border crossings and field operations which resulted in a gradual increase in activities, as well as the resumption of special projects that focused inspections on certain higher-risk species or import locations.

The same year, inspections were carried out in partnership with other countries, with an emphasis on wood and timber. An ECCC enforcement officer and a wood expert analyst had the opportunity to learn new enforcement techniques while sharing their knowledge and expertise with international partners. Some of these opportunities included:

• In March 2023, the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) invited an ECCC enforcement officer and a wood expert analyst to join their team of experts in the verification and identification of illegal wood shipments for an operation in the United Republic of Tanzania (East Africa). They inspected a shipment of 22 containers suspected of containing illegally exported rosewood from Madagascar (Dalbergia spp.). The declared value of the shipment was US$12.8 million. The shipment, which was not accompanied by a CITES export permit, was believed to have originated in Madagascar, transited through Kenya and Tanzania, with a final destination of Asia. The UNODC expressed their sincere gratitude to Canada and ECCC for the assistance provided.

• In May 2023, at the request of the US Forest Service's International Programs (USFS-IP) working with Costa Rican partners (Universidad National de Costa Rica, Fundación Tecnológica de Costa Rica (FUNDATEC) and the Ministry of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica) an ECCC enforcement officer and a wood expert analyst aided in the development of the Costa Rican partners' capacity in the identification of wood and data collection of local timber by providing in-person training on the use and management of the XyloTron (a machine-vision-based wood identification device). This collaboration also strengthened the Xylotron database, both inside and outside of Canada, increasing its impact on illegal timber activities.

• In June 2023, at the request of INTERPOL, the UNODC and authorities from the Panama Ministry of Environment (MiAMBIENTE), an ECCC enforcement officer and a wood expert analyst participated in the inspection of 26 containers suspected of containing illegally cut timber from Panama, Mexico and Honduras. The content was intended to be illegally exported to China. ECCC enforcement officers verified the shipments and identified the species of wood to determine the legality of the CITES documents issued by Panama. They trained local authorities on timber identification, sampling and risk indicators for illegal shipments. The value of the illegal timber was estimated at more than $12 million. The ECCC enforcement officer and wood expert analyst benefited from the UNODC expert's 40 years of experience in container security inspection and container risk indicators. They learned about manners of operating and methods of document falsification (in particular, customs and CITES permits) not yet encountered in Canada. This knowledge is now applied in Canada during timber inspections and supports Target 20 of the Global Biodiversity Framework: " Strengthen Capacity-Building, Technology Transfer, and Scientific and Technical Cooperation for Biodiversity.”

4.2.2 Investigations

ECCC enforcement officers conduct investigations when there are reasonable grounds to believe that an offence has been, is being, or is about to be committed under the legislation. Investigations involve gathering evidence and information relevant to a suspected violation.

During a search, officers may seize and detain any item that they reasonably believe may have been used to commit an offence under the legislation, is related to the commission of or will provide evidence of an offence. ECCC enforcement officers will use their powers of seizure and detention when they believe that the seizure is necessary and in the public interest.

In 2023, ECCC initiated 47 new investigations involving international and interprovincial movements of wildlife. ECCC publishes information on successful prosecutions stemming from these investigations, including media releases and enforcement notifications, online.

4.2.3 Offences

Officers review suspected or alleged offences. If it is determined that no offence has occurred or that there is insufficient evidence to warrant further investigation, no additional enforcement action is taken. If they can substantiate that an offence took place, they have a legal obligation to enforce the law and use their discretionary power to choose the most appropriate enforcement response to violations. Before deciding on how to respond to violations, enforcement officers will consider factors described in the Compliance and Enforcement Policy for Wildlife Legislation.

In 2023, there were 381 suspected or alleged offences of WAPPRIITA or its regulations. Inspections and investigations resulted in 5 tickets (totalling $2,308), 28 administrative monetary penalties (totalling $31,900), and 201 warnings (no fine amount associated).

A total of 72 suspected or alleged offences did not lead to the issuance of an enforcement measure. In some cases, the information, tip or referral received were unfounded or erroneous. In others, the return to compliance was carried out before inspection.

4.2.4 Convictions

In 2023, there were 4 successful prosecutions and 2 arrests following offences of WAPPRIITA. More information is available online.

Court penalties may be directed to the Government of Canada's Environmental Damages Fund (EDF) ,a program administered by ECCC. The Fund helps ensure that court-awarded penalties are used to repair environmental damage or benefit the environment. The Fund receives and redirects the money from court penalties and settlements and aims to invest in areas where the environmental damage occurred.

An Ontario taxidermist fined $60,000 after violating federal wildlife law for unlawful polar bear exports

On September 12, 2023, an Ontario taxidermist pled guilty in the Ontario Court of Justice in Oshawa on 2 counts of violating the WAPPRIITA. The individual was fined a total of $60,000, directed to the EDF. In addition, the Court ordered him to forfeit 1 full polar bear mount and 2 hides or rugs.

ECCC enforcement officers carried out the investigation in the summer of 2018 which was based, in part, on the three-pronged approach for polar bear conservation and management. The approach identifies and tracks legal polar bear hides once they enter trade, ensuring exporters comply with the regulations related to trade and transport. The 3 elements of the approach include: analyzing the muscle tissue DNA, analyzing the stable isotope of fur samples, and inserting encrypted microchips to track polar bear parts from harvest through export. The collaboration with law enforcement agencies in Nunavut, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, and in the United States was key in the investigation.

A corporation and 1 individual ordered to pay a total of $250,000 in fines for illegally importing endangered European Eel meat

On October 3, 2023, a corporation and an individual, both of Markham, Ontario, were fined $175,000 and $75,000 respectively by the Ontario Court of Justice. The corporation and the individual pled guilty to 1 charge each for violating WAPPRIITA. These violations related to the illegal importation of European Eel meat. In addition to the fines, approximately 90,000 kg of eel meat was forfeited, having an estimated retail value of more than $4.3 million. This ensures the illegally imported product is removed from the commercial market. The $250,000 fine was directed to the EDF.

Between November 2016 and January 2018, shipping containers declared as American Eel fillets were imported into Canada. However, ECCC enforcement officers discovered, through sampling and DNA analysis, European Eel meat mixed with the legally imported American Eel meat in all 5 containers. European Eel is listed in Appendix II of CITES and must be accompanied by a permit to be lawfully imported into Canada. The individual was charged with 1 count of importing 5 shipping containers containing CITES-listed species without a permit. The corporation was also charged with 1 count of importing 1 of the 5 shipping containers containing CITES-listed species without a permit, a contravention of subsection 6(2) of WAPPRIITA.

Three individuals fined a total of $34,000 for violating WAPPRIITA

On July 18, 2023, at the Palais de Justice in Montréal, Quebec, an individual was fined $5,000 after pleading guilty to 1 count of violating WAPPRIITA. On July 25, 2023, a second individual pled guilty to 1 count and was fined $5,000 and a third individual pleaded guilty to 4 counts of violating WAPPRIITA and was fined $24,000. The fines were directed to the EDF.

The sentences were handed down by the Court following reports concerning illegal trade activities that took place between May 2017 and August 2018. During their investigation, ECCC enforcement officers found that the 3 individuals had transported or had illegally possessed black bear gall bladders for the purpose of transporting them from New Brunswick to Quebec. In so doing, the individuals committed offences under WAPPRIITA.

Unlawful importation of threatened crocodile meat in Alberta leads to $7,500 fine

On September 20, 2023, an individual was fined $7,500 after pleading guilty in the Alberta Court of Justice to 1 count of unlawfully importing a species of animal without obtaining the required permits. This was in contravention of subsection 6(2) of WAPPRIITA. The fine was directed to the EDF.

On February 26, 2022, the individual arrived on an international flight at Calgary International Airport and did not declare any food or animal products. Further examination by the CBSA revealed approximately 6 pounds of meat products in his luggage. ECCC enforcement officers inspected the meat products and sent samples for DNA analysis to identify the species. The testing identified the meat as African Dwarf Crocodile. This species is listed as an Appendix I species under CITES because it is classified as a threatened species.

4.3 Collaboration with provincial and territorial partners

As noted in Section 1.2, several provincial and territorial departments and federal agencies have memoranda of understanding or agreements with ECCC allowing provincial and territorial officers to enforce portions of WAPPRIITA (e.g. provisions related to interprovincial control). Formal collaborations with other federal departments and federal agencies include, but are not limited to the CBSA, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. The collaboration between the federal government and its provincial and territorial partners is beneficial given their shared mandate, and results in better coordination of efforts and resources in undertaking wildlife enforcement actions, especially when dealing with large-scale operations. The calibre of the investigations leading to the convictions described in 4.2.4 is a testament to the success of this collaboration.

5. International cooperation

5.1 CITES Conferences of the Parties

The CITES Conference of the Parties (CoP) meets once every 2 or 3 years. No CoP was held in 2023. The next CITES CoP (CoP20) is planned for the fall of 2025.

5.2 CITES committees and working groups

During the period between meetings of the CoP, the Animals Committee, the Plants Committee and the Standing Committee implement directives received from the preceding CoP and prepare for the next CoP. Canada participated in several committees and working groups to foster ongoing cooperation with international partners under CITES. In particular, the meetings of the CITES Standing Committee, the Plants Committee and the Animals Committee are instrumental in developing international policy for the implementation of CITES. Decisions made by these bodies may affect Canada's obligations under CITES and greatly influence the decisions ultimately adopted by the CoP.

Members of these committees represent 6 major geographical regions: Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, Central and South America and the Caribbean, and Oceania. The North American region is comprised of Canada, the United States and Mexico. For the intersessional period between COP 19 and COP 20, ECCC continued to support the CITES Scientific and Management Authorities as the North American Region representative on the Plants Committee and as the alternate representative for the North American Region on the Standing Committee.

Canada continued to lead and participate in the work of these Committees via email or virtual meetings and participated in various intersessional working groups to help advance the implementation of CITES. As well, Canada is Chair of both the working group on Engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities and the working group on the Identification of timber and other wood products. Canada is co-Chair of the working group on the Review of CITES provisions related to trade in specimens of animals and plants not of wild source. 

In 2023, Canada participated in 3 CITES meetings held in Geneva, Switzerland:

• the 26th Plants Committee meeting was held from June 5 to 9, 2023
• the 32nd Animals Committee meeting was held from June 19 to 23, 2023
• the 77th Standing Committee meeting was held from November 6 to 11, 2023

5.3. International cooperation in enforcement operations

In October 2023, ECCC's enforcement officers participated in INTERPOL and the World Customs Organization's Operation Thunder 2023 (codenamed Op Thunder 2023), an annual global enforcement operation across borders aimed at identifying, disrupting, and dismantling criminal and organized crime networks involved in trafficking wild plant and animal species and also timber species. Op Thunder 2023 involved 133 countries worldwide, an increase of 8 countries in relation to the previous year's operation and the largest number of participating countries since the launch of the Thunder series in 2017. This operation focussed on identifying the illegal import and export of wildlife products at ports of entry and resulted in the confiscation of more than 2 114 illegally traded specimens protected by the CITES.

ECCC enforcement officers led multiple enforcement operations across Canada, with support from the CBSA, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, and their provincial and territorial counterparts.

Enforcement officers and partners carried out targeted inspections at mail centres, airports, cargo centres, and ports of entry across Canada. Their efforts resulted in the identification of numerous violations, resulting in the seizure or detainment of numerous species (or their respective parts and derivatives), which are protected by CITES. Items include:

• 30 boxes of crocodile-oil cream
• 2 boxes and 8 freezer bags containing shark fin
• 20 wood carvings made from African mahogany
• 8 Green Tree Pythons
• 10 boxes of face cream containing Chinese Ground Orchid
• 3 packages of tiger-powder balm
• 50 cactus plants and 15 cactus pieces
• 7 boxes of pills containing Potato Orchid
• 14 Sandhill Cranes
• 1 alligator head
• 2 live tortoises
• 2 black bear bacula

5.4 United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), INTERPOL and US Forest Service

In 2023, ECCC participated in 2 illegal wood shipment inspections and 1 CITES and Wood Shipment Inspection training (see s.4.2.1).

6. How to report wildlife and environmental crimes

Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Canadian Crime Stoppers Association have an important memorandum of understanding that leads to better detection and reporting of crimes against federally protected wildlife. This collaboration sets a foundation for strategic and technical cooperation, including joint public-awareness projects, the exchange of expertise, and the promotion of cooperation with 87 Crime Stoppers programs across Canada.

People who have information about wildlife and environmental crime can report it anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (in Quebec: 1-800-711-1800) or submit a tip online.

This collaboration with Crime Stoppers supports the conservation of wild species and helps ensure the law-abiding citizens who depend on wildlife for enjoyment, recreation, and their livelihoods will have the opportunity to do so for generations to come.

7. Additional information

For more information about WAPPRIITA, please visit the website of the Government of Canada or contact ECCC at:

Public inquiries centre

Place Vincent Massey Building
351, Saint-Joseph Boulevard
Gatineau QC K1A 0H3
Toll-free: 1-800-668-6767
Email: enviroinfo@ec.gc.ca

Media relations

Toll-free (within Canada): 1-844-836-7799
Outside of Canada: +1 819-938-3338
Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. ET
Email: media@ec.gc.ca