Three Nova Scotia men sentenced for offences under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

February 13, 2020 – Yarmouth, Nova Scotia – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Strong and effective enforcement of Canada’s environmental and wildlife protection laws is one of the concrete ways in which we are delivering on our commitment to providing clean air, clean water, and the conservation of wildlife species and their habitat.

On February 3, 2020, Caleb Richardson, Drew William Schrader and Zachery Cottreau of Yarmouth County all pleaded guilty to one charge each of having committed an offence under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 by contravening a provision of the Migratory Birds Regulations. Each charge laid against these individuals carries a mandatory minimum penalty of $5,000. As a result, the trio were fined a total of $15,000, which will be directed to the Government of Canada’s Environmental Damages Fund.

In the early morning hours of October 8, 2019, wildlife enforcement officers were conducting surveillance of a baited area found on Little Island in Ogden Lake, NS. Richardson, Schrader, and Cottreau were observed hunting over bait, which is an offence under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.

Quick facts

• Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Environment and Climate Change Canada is responsible for protecting migratory birds, their nests, and populations and for regulating potentially harmful human activities that may affect them.
• Enforcement officers use a range of tools to address non-compliance, such as warning letters, tickets, compliance orders, administrative monetary penalties (AMPs), directions, and charges initiating prosecutions.
• Mandatory minimum penalties are aimed at promoting compliance with federal environmental legislation.
• The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. It was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for directing funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to priority projects that will benefit the environment.

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Contacts

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