Cornwall resident convicted under federal wildlife legislation
February 17, 2014 – Cornwall, Ontario – Environment Canada
Stephen Malcolm Shillingford, of Cornwall, Ontario, was convicted in the Ontario Court of Justice on February 10, 2014, for illegally importing reptiles, listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), into Canada from the United States. Mr. Shillingford was sentenced to a six‑month conditional sentence, a fine of $5000, and ordered to report to Environment Canada Enforcement for a period of two years before importing plants and animals, for violating the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA) and the regulations thereunder. The fine will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.
This case represents a joint investigation with the Canada Border Services Agency and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS). Mr. Shillingford was also convicted for smuggling under the Customs Act and received a six-month conditional sentence to be served concurrently.
Mr. Shillingford was found guilty of unlawfully importing CITES-listed reptiles, primarily tortoises, a popular species within the pet trade, into Canada at the Cornwall border crossing, between February 26, 2011 and November 1, 2011, without the required permit under CITES. Mr. Shillingford purchased reptiles in the United States and brought them into Canada. Most of the reptiles were pre-sold to pet stores and individuals in Ontario, using various internet classifieds sites to solicit his clientele.
Convention on International Trade in Endangered species of Wild Fauna and Flora
Environment Canada has created a subscription service to help the Canadians stay current with what the Government of Canada is doing to protect our natural environment. Subscribing to Environment Canada’s Enforcement Notifications is easy, and free. Sign up today.
For more information, please contact:
Media Relations
Environment Canada
819-934-8008
Environment Canada’s Twitter page: http://twitter.com/environmentca
Environment Canada’s Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/environmentcan
