Migratory bird hunting: our field enforcement officers

December 23, 2019 – Montréal, Québec – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Effective enforcement of Canada’s wildlife and environmental protection laws is one of the measures Environment and Climate Change Canada has taken to honour its commitment to maintaining clean air and water and conserving wildlife species and their habitats.

With the opening of the migratory bird hunting season last September, enforcement officers were in the field to ensure that hunters were in full compliance with regulations. In two separate operations, one on the North Shore of Montréal and the other on the Magdalen Islands, enforcement officers, in collaboration with Québec wildlife conservation officers and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, carried out several actions.

Below is an overview of these two operations:

• Discovery and closure of 16 illegal baiting sites;
• Apprehension of 40 individuals who were violating the law;
• More than 90 violations reported;
• Seizure of more than 80 ducks and two geese taken illegally in violation of applicable laws and regulations;
• Confiscation of two firearms that were handed over to the Sûreté du Québec since the holders did not have the appropriate certificates;
• Over $25,000 in fines and Administrative Monetary Penalties issued to offenders.

Quick facts

• Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Environment and Climate Change Canada is mandated to protect migratory birds,their nests and populations, and to regulate potentially harmful human activities that may affect them.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada enforces laws that that protect wildlife by ensuring businesses and individuals comply with the law. We encourage citizens to report any illegal acts they may witness related to wildlife on federal lands to the National Environmental Emergencies Centre by calling 1-866-283-2333, or by contacting Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS) to anonymously report crimes related to wildlife species. You could be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

Environment and Climate Change Canada has created a free subscription service to help Canadians stay informed of the measures that the Government of Canada is taking to protect our natural environment.

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca