Proposals to reduce regulatory burden within the wildlife management program

Our province is home to an incredible abundance of natural beauty and resources, and the Ontario government is committed to protecting this important heritage for future generations, while making sure our trapping sector can continue to thrive, prosper and create jobs.

The province is proposing changes to reduce regulatory and administrative burden related to trapping in Ontario, which will streamline requirements for trappers so they can continue to make a living, while ensuring the necessary protections are in place so that trapping can be pursued humanely.

Each of the proposals is described below.

1. Streamlining fur dealer records submissions

• Ontario Regulation 666/98 (Possession, Buying and Selling of Wildlife) currently requires licensed fur dealers to record transactions (e.g. buying, selling of furs) as they occur and submit records monthly to the ministry.  Licensed fur dealers are also required to obtain ministry permission/approval to submit these records electronically to the ministry.
• We are proposing to streamline requirements for fur dealer submission of records, which includes removing of the regulatory requirement to obtain ministry permission prior to submitting records electronically, and reducing the frequency of records submission to annually, rather than monthly.
• The proposal is intended to provide licensed fur dealers greater flexibility for record submission and reduce burden associated with record submissions to the ministry. 

2. Enabling persons to hold both a trapping licence and fur dealer’s licence

• Ontario Regulation 667/98 (Trapping) currently prohibits individuals from holding a Trapping Licence and a fur dealer’s licence (or farmer’s licence to sell pelts and carcasses) at the same time.  There is a limited exception if the ministry determines that the person is meeting specific criteria (e.g. keeping specific records, separate storage of pelts, etc).
• We are proposing to remove the prohibition preventing individuals from holding these licences at the same time, subject to certain conditions on the licence.  These conditions include separate pelt storage and identification/labelling, as well as keeping separate records for trapping and fur dealing activities.
• This proposal is intended to provide trapping businesses greater flexibility and opportunity, while removing the administrative burden for some businesses.

3. Enabling the use of firearms at night for dispatch of trapped furbearers

• The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act (FWCA) generally prohibits a person from possessing a firearm in an area usually inhabited by wildlife during the period from half an hour after sunset to half an hour before sunrise (i.e. at night), unless the firearm is unloaded and encased. There are limited exceptions to this prohibition (e.g. use of firearms at night for protection of property and for raccoon night hunting using certain caliber firearms).
• We are proposing to allow the use of firearms at night by licensed trappers or farmers for humane dispatch of lawfully trapped furbearing mammals, subject to certain limitations to address potential safety concerns, such as:
  • Requirement to keep firearms encased and unloaded until in the immediate vicinity of a trapped furbearer to be dispatched and be unloaded and encased immediately following dispatch.
  • Restrict the firearms permitted for this purpose to rimfire rifles only.
  • Make associated changes to permit the use of any rimfire rifle for raccoon night hunting for consistency among hunting and trapping activities permitting the use of firearms at night
• The proposal is intended to continue to support humane trapping and reduce barriers for licensed trappers, while providing for public safety.

4. Exempting airports from obtaining a deer removal authorization

• The FWCA allows for the harassment, capture or killing of wildlife if it is damaging or about to damage the person’s property. Clause 31(3)(b) of the Act requires persons to obtain an authorization, or follow applicable rules in regulation, to harass, capture or kill white-tailed deer or American elk in protection of property.
• We are proposing to allow authorized airports to harass, capture or kill white-tailed deer or American elk in protection of property without ministry authorization.  This approach is consistent with managing protection of property for other wildlife species on an airport for human health and safety.
• The proposal is intended to reduce administrative burden for airports who experience conflict or public safety issues associated with deer or elk.

The ministry is proposing amendments to Ontario Regulation 665/98 (Hunting), Ontario Regulation 666/98 (Possession, Buying and Selling of Wildlife) and Ontario Regulation 667/98 (Trapping) under the FWCA to implement the changes should the proposals proceed.

Regulatory impact statement

The anticipated environmental and social consequences of the proposal are neutral. The proposed changes do not impact Ontario’s regulatory framework for hunting and trapping or management of provincial wildlife for sustainability. The proposed changes are intended to reduce regulatory burden while maintaining protections for public health, safety and the environment. The proposal to enable persons to use firearms at night to dispatch trapped furbearing mammals by licensed trappers is intended to enable trappers checking traps at night to use more ethical and humane methods of dispatching legally trapped furbearing mammals.

The anticipated economic consequences of the proposal are neutral or positive as the proposed changes are intended to reduce regulatory burden to lower business operating costs and increase competitiveness. The proposed changes combined offer potential administrative cost savings for business of up to approximately $30,000 annually.