Canada to Implement CITES COP19 Decisions

Summary#

This notice tells Canadians about decisions made at the 19th Conference of the Parties (COP19) to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) and says the federal government plans to bring those decisions into Canadian rules. It signals changes to which species are controlled in trade and says final regulation changes under the Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations (WAPTR) are expected in Canada Gazette, Part II in fall 2023.

What it does#

• Summarizes key outcomes from COP19, where 45 proposals on CITES listings were adopted. These include adding species, moving species between CITES lists, and changing annotations or names.
• Explains how CITES works in simple terms:
  • Appendix I: species threatened with extinction; generally no commercial trade allowed and special permits are needed for non-commercial moves.
  • Appendix II: species not currently threatened with extinction but that need trade controls; export permits are required.
  • Appendix III: species listed by a single country seeking help to prevent illegal exports; export permits or certificates of origin apply.
• States the federal Minister intends to implement the COP19 decisions in Canada by amending rules under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act and the WAPTR.
• Notes the Minister plans to ask to skip prepublication in Canada Gazette, Part I, and aims to publish final regulatory amendments in Canada Gazette, Part II in fall 2023.

Who's affected#

• People and businesses that import, export, sell or buy wild animals and plants or products made from them (for example, pet traders, nurseries, wildlife dealers, exporters/importers).
• Zoos, aquariums, museums, universities, and researchers that move specimens across borders for study, breeding, or conservation.
• Conservation groups and Indigenous or local communities that use or manage species now listed or reclassified under CITES.
• Border and enforcement agencies that handle permits and inspections.
• If it’s unclear whether a specific species you deal with is affected, check the CITES list or the upcoming Canadian regulation changes.

Why it matters#

• Adding or reclassifying species can mean new permits, paperwork, or limits on commercial trade. That can change costs and what goods are legally available.
• For conservation, these changes aim to reduce threats from international trade and help protect species at risk of extinction.
• Businesses, researchers, and communities that move animals or plants should follow the upcoming regulatory announcements so they can comply when the changes take effect in fall 2023. If you trade in or rely on certain species, this notice signals you may need to adjust practices or obtain new permits.