Cap Tourmente NWA Hunt and Fees Repealed

Summary#

• These final regulations amend the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations to remove the controlled fall hunt program and visitor entrance fees at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area.
• The changes take effect on April 1, 2027.

What it does#

• Repeals the regulated fall hunt program for migratory game birds in the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area. The hunt had been a conservation measure to reduce grazing on the marsh.
• Removes entrance fees and fees for optional naturalist services at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, making access free like other national wildlife areas.
• Repeals specific parts of the regulations that named the hunt program and fees (including Schedules II and III of the Wildlife Area Regulations and Items 39 to 43 of Division 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations).
• Clarifies that the general prohibition on hunting and fishing in the area remains in place, except where a permit is issued under the Regulations.
• Comes into force on April 1, 2027.

Who's affected#

• People who used the regulated hunt at Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area, including hunters and hunting organizations.
• General visitors and nature watchers: the site will be free to enter, which may increase visitor numbers.
• Department of the Environment and the Canadian Wildlife Service — they will manage the site without entrance-fee revenue and will reassign staff who handled fees.
• Local tour operators, community parks and non-profit organizations that charged fees — they could face more local competition and a possible drop in visitors.
• Indigenous communities and First Nations that use the area for traditional activities. One consulted First Nation supports closing the hunt to non–First Nations hunters but wants continued access for its members; government discussions on that point will continue.

Why it matters#

• The regulated hunt was originally a conservation tool to protect the American Bulrush marsh from intensive grazing by the Greater Snow Goose. Recent monitoring indicates the marsh’s health is stable, so the conservation reason for the hunt is no longer seen as necessary.
• Removing entrance fees means public access becomes free like other national wildlife areas. Visitors could save up to $310,000 annually, or $2.6 million over 10 years, based on past attendance and current fees.
• The Department will assume the lost fee revenue (an estimated $310,000 annually) and expects to reassign staff rather than cut services. One-time government costs to update signs and public information are about $7,000.
• Some nearby paid parks or operators might lose customers — the regulatory analysis estimates potential local revenue losses up to $280,000 per year (about $2.3 million over 10 years), though the government describes this as a limited and uncertain effect.
• The repeal changes how people can use the site: regulated public hunting ends, but the government says permits could still allow specific conservation activities or, in separate processes, traditional Indigenous hunting arrangements.