Repeal of BC Avian Influenza Compensation

Summary#

The federal government has repealed the Compensation for Certain Birds Destroyed in British Columbia (Avian Influenza) Regulations (SOR/2004-150). The repeal was registered and came into force on November 21, 2025 and was published in the Canada Gazette on December 3, 2025 (SOR/2025-237).

What it does#

• Removes the federal regulation that used to provide compensation for certain birds destroyed in British Columbia because of avian influenza.
• The repeal was made by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, Heath MacDonald, under the Health of Animals Act.
• The repeal took effect on the day it was registered: November 21, 2025.
• The Canada Gazette notice says the Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement for this repeal appears with SOR/2025-235 (Regulations Amending and Repealing Certain Regulations (Canadian Food Inspection Agency)).

Who's affected#

• People and businesses in British Columbia who would previously have been eligible for payments under SOR/2004-150, such as poultry producers or owners of birds destroyed because of avian influenza.
• The notice does not spell out who will replace or provide any compensation now that this federal regulation is repealed. It is unclear from this item whether another program or funding source is available.

Why it matters#

• If you kept birds in British Columbia and relied on federal compensation after bird culls for avian influenza, that specific federal regulation no longer exists. That could affect whether you can recover costs from the federal government after an outbreak.
• The change reduces one federal pathway for compensation; anyone potentially affected should look for further details in the related Regulatory Impact Analysis Statement (referenced with SOR/2025-235) or contact the relevant federal agency for clarification.