Quebecer ordered to pay $60,000 for violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

June 30, 2021 – Saint-Jérôme, Quebec – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Strong and effective enforcement of Canada’s wildlife protection laws is one of the tangible ways we respect our commitment to the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat.

On June 21, 2021, in the Saint-Jérôme Courthouse, Frédéric Thibeault was ordered to pay a total fine of $60,000, after pleading guilty to an offence under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. The fine will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.

In June 2019, Environment and Climate Change Canada’s enforcement officers attended the scene of the incident in Sainte-Sophie, where demolition activities were taking place, to conduct a compliance inspection. During the inspection, the officers noted the presence of nests of cliff swallows, a migratory bird species. An investigation revealed the violations committed by Frédéric Thibeault, who destroyed four cliff swallow nests. Destroying a nest or egg of a migratory bird constitutes an offence, as specified by paragraph 6(a) of the Migratory Birds Regulations, punishable under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994. Frédéric Thibeault was ordered to pay $15,000 per nest destroyed, for a total fine of $60,000.

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