Chamber
manitoba
Stage
Introduced
This Manitoba bill increases penalties for illegally hunting protected species and bans poison-based trapping permits.
Key Changes
- Eliminates the ability for the government to issue permits exempting people from the ban on using poison to trap or kill wild animals
- First-time offenders for illegally hunting protected species face fines of $10,000–$100,000 and/or up to one year in jail
- Repeat offenders face fines of $20,000–$200,000 and/or up to two years in jail
- First-time offenders automatically lose their hunting licence for two years upon conviction
- Repeat offenders receive a permanent, lifetime ban on holding a hunting licence
- Expands the list of animals landowners cannot kill in defence of private property to include all protected species, not just specific named animals
Gotchas
- The lifetime hunting licence ban for repeat offenders is automatic upon conviction — judges have no discretion to reduce or waive it
- Removing the poison permit system entirely means there is no longer any legal pathway to use poison for wildlife control, even in exceptional circumstances
- The expansion of the private land defence restriction to all protected species may affect farmers or rural landowners who previously had more flexibility in dealing with wildlife on their property
- The bill takes effect immediately upon royal assent, with no transition period for people currently holding poison-use permits or licences
Who's Affected
- Hunters and trappers in Manitoba
- People convicted of wildlife offences involving protected species
- Landowners who previously could kill certain animals to protect their property
- Wildlife conservation officers and enforcement agencies
- Anyone who previously held or applied for poison-use exemption permits
Vibes
0 responses
Gotchas
- The lifetime hunting licence ban for repeat offenders is automatic upon conviction — judges have no discretion to reduce or waive it
- Removing the poison permit system entirely means there is no longer any legal pathway to use poison for wildlife control, even in exceptional circumstances
- The expansion of the private land defence restriction to all protected species may affect farmers or rural landowners who previously had more flexibility in dealing with wildlife on their property
- The bill takes effect immediately upon royal assent, with no transition period for people currently holding poison-use permits or licences
Summary
This bill changes Manitoba's Wildlife Act in two main ways. First, it removes the government's ability to issue permits that allowed people to use poison to trap, kill, or catch wild animals — meaning no one can get an exemption for this anymore. Second, it significantly increases the punishments for people who illegally hunt or trap animals that are protected species. Under the new rules, someone caught illegally hunting a protected species for the first time can be fined between $10,000 and $100,000, sent to jail for up to one year, or both. A second offence brings fines between $20,000 and $200,000 and up to two years in jail. On top of that, a first-time offender loses their hunting licence for two years, while a repeat offender loses it permanently and can never apply for one again. The bill also expands the list of animals that landowners cannot kill or remove when trying to protect their private property. Previously, only specific animals like antelope and cougar were listed; now all protected species are included in that restriction.
Automatically generated from bill text using Claude
Vibes
0 responses