Cap Tourmente Hunt and Fee Repeal

Summary#

This is a proposed change, published September 27, 2025, to the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations that would remove a long-standing controlled fall hunt and the visitor entrance fee at the Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (NWA). The government says biological monitoring shows the bulrush marsh there is stable, so the hunt program is no longer needed; removing the fee would make the site free like other NWAs.

What it does#

• Repeals the controlled fall hunt program that operated at the Cap Tourmente NWA as a conservation measure.
• Removes the entrance fee and the incidental fees for naturalist services at that NWA so public access would be free.
• Applies the general prohibition on hunting across the whole NWA, meaning hunting would be allowed only if a permit is issued under the Wildlife Area Regulations.
• Deletes related penalty entries from the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations.
• Financial and timing details in the government analysis:
  • Uses an analytical period of 10 years (2026–2035) and a discount rate of 3%.
  • Estimated one‑time signage/publicity costs of about $7,000.
  • Estimated visitor savings from removing fees of up to $310,000 per year (about $2.7 million over 10 years, present value, in the government’s analysis).
• The notice invites public representations within 30 days after publication.

Who's affected#

• Hunters and hunting organizations that used the Cap Tourmente site for the regulated migratory game bird hunt. The government says other hunting areas exist nearby.
• Members of the local First Nations that use Cap Tourmente for traditional hunting; one consulted community asked that community members still be able to access the site for traditional hunting and the Department plans to continue discussions.
• General visitors and nature‑watchers: removing the fee is expected to lower the cost of visiting and likely increase visitor numbers.
• The Department of the Environment (Canadian Wildlife Service) — it would absorb the lost fee revenue and reassign staff.
• Nearby tourism providers and small non‑profit parks: a local organization warned that free access at Cap Tourmente could reduce their visitor numbers and revenue.

Why it matters#

• Conservation basis: the government’s monitoring says the bulrush marsh that needed protection from overgrazing by the Greater Snow Goose is now stable and the geese largely stop elsewhere during migration. That is the main reason given for ending the hunt as a conservation tool.
• Public access: making Cap Tourmente free would align it with other national wildlife areas and could let more Canadians experience the site. Past fee waivers led to visitor increases of 41% (2017) and 53% (2021) in specific years.
• Money and services: visitors could save up to $310,000 a year, but the Department would need to cover that lost revenue from its general budget. The government flags the budget impact is effectively a transfer rather than a net economic gain.
• Local impacts: nearby parks or tour operators that rely on entrance fees could face competition; the government estimates potential revenue losses to such organizations up to $280,000 per year (around $2.4 million over 10 years) in a conservative scenario.
• Cultural and access questions remain: some Indigenous users want to keep traditional access for community members. The Department says it will continue discussions and keep monitoring the site’s ecological health.