Two Quebec hunters fined a total of $10,000 for offences under federal wildlife law

Joliette, Quebec – September 4, 2018 – Environment and Climate Change Canada

Enforcing Canadian environmental and wildlife laws is one important way that Environment and Climate Change Canada is taking action to protect wildlife and nature.

On August 17, 2018, Jeannot Pellerin and Yannick Boisjoly, of Lavaltrie, pleaded guilty in the Joliette Courthouse to one count each of unlawful interprovincial transport of big game (moose) from New Brunswick to Quebec, an offence under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act. Pellerin and Boisjoly were each ordered to pay a penalty of $5000, which will be directed to the Environmental Damages Fund.

The charges stemmed from an investigation under Operation Commicerf, a long-term investigation and major anti-poaching operation led by the Province of Quebec’s Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs. Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers participated in gathering evidence of federal violations, including the illegal transport of animals across provincial boundaries (in this case, moose) by Pellerin and Boisjoly. Pellerin and Boisjoly also pleaded guilty to separate charges under provincial legislation.

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Quick facts

• Operation Commicerf took place in 2016 following several reports and information received from citizens. More than 60 provincial wildlife protection officers from several regions of Quebec and New Brunswick as well as 13 Environment and Climate Change Canada enforcement officers collaborated to dismantle an interprovincial poaching network that involved more than 30 individuals and resulted in more than 100 charges under provincial and federal legislation. The operation focused on the illegal harvest of white-tailed deer and moose, the illegal sale of large game fish, as well as the illegal interprovincial transportation of moose. On August 17, 2018, 14 individuals pleaded guilty to a total of 69 charges under provincial legislation and were ordered to pay penalties totalling $93,377.
• To ensure that the illegal trade of wildlife species does not undermine conservation efforts, the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act prohibits the interprovincial transport of wildlife species taken, possessed, distributed, or transported in contravention of any provincial acts or regulations.
• Transport of wildlife between provinces is not permitted unless all related provincial regulatory requirements are met.
• Enforcement officers verify regulatory compliance and, when necessary, take measures to ensure compliance with federal legislation protecting wildlife species. Illegal activity can be reported at 1-800-668-6767 (in Canada only) or 819-938-3860.
• The Environmental Damages Fund is administered by Environment and Climate Change Canada. It was created in 1995 to provide a mechanism for funds received as a result of fines, court orders, and voluntary payments to be directed to projects that will benefit our natural environment.

Associated Links

• Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act
• Environmental Damages Fund

Contacts

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca