Wildlife Area Regulations Amended

Summary#

These are the final amendments (SOR/2020-256) to the Wildlife Area Regulations under the Canada Wildlife Act. They clarify what people can and cannot do in national wildlife areas (NWAs), add a list of activities that are allowed in many NWAs without a permit, tighten some protections (for wildlife, habitat and against invasive organisms), and update boundary and naming details. The regulations came into force on November 30, 2020.

What it does#

• Clarifies and extends the list of things that are banned in NWAs, including:
  • introducing living organisms that could harm wildlife or habitat;
  • most hunting, fishing and trapping unless a permit or the new schedule allows it;
  • having certain lead fishing gear while fishing (the rules define lead jigs and lead sinkers as devices under 50 g that contain more than 1% lead by weight);
  • flying or landing aircraft in an NWA (take-offs/landings prohibited) and operating drones or other remote/ autonomous self‑propelled devices without a permit;
  • letting domestic animals run at large or on leashes longer than 3 metres, and banning hoofed domestic animals from NWAs.
• Defines what counts as “non‑toxic shot” by weight: up to 100% iron, tungsten, tin or bismuth (alone or combined), up to 45% copper, up to 40% nickel, up to 7% Nylon 6/11 or ethylene‑methacrylic acid copolymer, and up to 1% all other substances.
• Creates a new schedule (Schedule I.1) listing specific activities that are authorized in many NWAs without a permit. Examples include wildlife viewing, hiking, limited boating, snowshoeing/skating, and in many places sport hunting or fishing — but normally only if done under applicable federal/provincial rules and without toxic shot.
• Changes permitting rules:
  • requires more detailed permit applications and lets the Minister refuse a permit if the activity would compromise conservation or if less‑harmful alternatives exist;
  • allows conditions, monitoring and reporting requirements on permits;
  • sets clearer grounds and procedures for suspending or revoking permits.
• Gives the Minister authority to temporarily close all or part of an NWA for disease outbreaks, natural disasters, emergencies, public safety or national security, and requires public notice of closures and re‑openings.
• Updates NWA lists, names and legal land descriptions. The text reports additions of federally managed lands totaling about 1,707.41 hectares (the final published table shows a slightly different total of 1,689.85 hectares; the source does not explain the discrepancy).
• Adds administrative links to enforcement tools:
  • amends the Designation Regulations and the AMPs framework so many NWA violations can attract administrative monetary penalties (AMPs) and ticketing; AMPs under the AMPs Regulations can range from $200 to $5,000 for individuals depending on the violation and circumstances.
• Sets specific rules and fees for one site: the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area hunt application period is February 15 to April 30 each year, and the permit fees listed include $6.96 (application), $686.81 (permit with a guide, applicant + up to 3 guests), $373.84 (permit without a guide, applicant + up to 3 guests) and $108.68 (daily permit, applicant + 1 guest).

Who's affected#

• People who visit NWAs for recreation: hikers, birdwatchers, boaters, campers and photographers — especially in NWAs named in the new Schedule I.1 where some activities are explicitly allowed without a permit.
• Hunters, fishers and trappers who use NWAs. The rules change where and when hunting/fishing can happen, require non‑toxic shot in many places, and create clearer permit rules.
• Commercial operators and guides who run tours or hunts in or near NWAs. Some activities that used to need permits are now listed as authorized (or still require permits under clearer conditions).
• Landowners and local communities near NWAs, because boundary updates may change which parcels are inside an NWA.
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) — responsible for issuing permits, posting notices, and enforcing the rules — and enforcement officers who use the updated AMP and ticketing tools.
• Indigenous groups with interests or agreements around specific NWAs. For example, the amendments note consultation with the Teslin Tlingit Council and clarify that trapping authority in the Nisutlin River Delta remains governed by that council’s Final Agreement (not replaced by these Regulations).

Why it matters#

• Better protection for wildlife and habitat: the rules explicitly cover introductions of invasive organisms, more kinds of habitat damage, disturbance from drones/low aircraft, and harms from loose domestic animals.
• More clarity for visitors and operators: a public schedule of permitted activities in many NWAs reduces uncertainty about when a permit is needed and what is allowed.
• Stronger, clearer permitting and enforcement: permit conditions, reporting requirements and clearer AMP/ticketing options give managers practical tools to control activities that could harm wildlife.
• Practical impacts for users: hunters and fishers may need to switch to defined non‑toxic shot, follow new seasonal or area limits, or apply for permits under clearer criteria; some commercial uses may be easier to authorize where consistent with conservation, and other uses remain restricted.
• Legal and mapping accuracy: updated names and boundary descriptions make ownership and enforcement clearer — but the published document contains a small inconsistency in the area totals added, which the source does not explain.