Big Glace Bay Lake National Wildlife Area

Summary#

These final regulations (SOR/2022-135) create the Big Glace Bay Lake National Wildlife Area (Nova Scotia) and add two parcels to the Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area (Ontario). They also correct a few wording and enforcement references in the federal wildlife rules. The regulations were registered on June 10, 2022 and published in the Canada Gazette on June 22, 2022.

What it does#

• Adds land and a formal National Wildlife Area at Big Glace Bay Lake:

  • Designates about 392 ha as the Big Glace Bay Lake National Wildlife Area (this includes the previous migratory bird sanctuary area plus 14 ha of added land).
  • Keeps most current recreational uses, but explicitly disallows camping and lighting/maintaining fires, and bans possession of lead fishing tackle under 50 g.
  • Allows specific activities including: wildlife viewing; hiking; swimming; non-commercial picking of edible plants and mushrooms; boat launching at the Lake Road terminus (46°10′17.0″N, 59°57′0.0″W); motorized boating with engines under 10 horsepower; non-motorized boating; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing; and sport fishing consistent with federal and Nova Scotia rules.

• Adds land to make Prince Edward Point National Wildlife Area continuous:

  • Adds 33.4 ha (two parcels) that fill the narrow gap between the two existing parts, so the area is less fragmented.
  • Activities on the new parcels match what is already allowed in the rest of the National Wildlife Area (e.g., wildlife viewing, hiking, swimming at designated beaches, boating and shore fishing under applicable permits).

• Fixes three administrative errors in federal wildlife regulations:

  • Restores the non-commercial sport fishing season at Last Mountain Lake National Wildlife Area to May 5 through March 31 (it had been incorrectly listed with different dates).
  • Changes several schedule entries that had said “waterfowl” back to “migratory game birds or upland game birds” so the hunting categories match historical practice.
  • Re‑adds three provisions for the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area to the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations, restoring the option to use administrative monetary penalties for certain violations there.

• Restores and clarifies enforcement options under the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations so officers can use warnings, tickets, AMPs, or prosecutions as appropriate.

Who's affected#

• Local residents and visitors around Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, and Picton/Long Point, Ontario.
• Recreational users: beach-goers, hikers, boaters and sport fishers (note the motor limit and lead-tackle ban at Big Glace Bay Lake).
• Indigenous communities near Big Glace Bay Lake (the department consulted 14 Indigenous groups and received one response in support).
• Conservation, research and monitoring groups working in these areas.
• Commercial fishers working in the adjacent ocean waters are not included in the new lake boundary (the marine lots were excluded so commercial fishing there is not restricted by these new regulations).
• Environment and Climate Change Canada will manage and enforce the new and amended protections.
• The changes are not expected to impose material costs on small businesses or local commercial activity.

Why it matters#

• It gives formal, clearer protection to habitat that matters for birds and other wildlife — including areas that provide critical habitat for the endangered Piping Plover — by moving from a migratory bird sanctuary to a National Wildlife Area and by closing a gap at Prince Edward Point.
• The rules balance public use and conservation: most low-impact recreation continues, but some activities (camping, open fires, certain lead tackle) are limited to reduce harm to wildlife.
• The fixes remove inconsistencies and restore enforcement tools so managers can respond to violations more effectively.
• Cost to the federal government is modest: about $169,400 in the first year and about $141,700 per year after that for setup, administration and enforcement (including smaller items such as signage and monitoring).
• The additions contribute a small amount toward Canada’s conservation targets (together the two additions add 47.4 ha to protected lands), and help maintain local biodiversity and resilience to environmental change.