Wellers Bay National Wildlife Area Management Plan: chapter 9

8 Enforcement

The management of National Wildlife Areas (NWAs) is based on three Acts and the associated regulations:

• Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 and Migratory Birds Sanctuary Regulations
• Canada Wildlife Act and Wildlife Area Regulations
• Species at Risk Act

To promote compliance with the Canada Wildlife Act and Wildlife Area Regulations (Appendix 2), Environment and Climate Change Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service (ECCC-CWS) posts signs along the perimeter of the NWA prohibiting entry to the NWA. 

Environment and Climate Change Canada's Wildlife Enforcement Division (ECCC-WED) is responsible for enforcement of federal and provincial wildlife laws, and will perform on-site inspections and investigations, patrol the NWA to promote compliance, and prevent access and prohibited activities within the NWA. A goal of the enforcement program is to control and reduce the occurrence of unauthorized and prohibited activities in the NWA.

ECCC-WED officers monitor compliance with the federal Canada Wildlife Act, Wildlife Area Regulations, Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994, Species at Risk Act,the Fisheries Act as well the provincial Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 and the Ontario Trespass to Property Act and will initiate investigations when required. ECCC-WED officers will respond to violations and take appropriate enforcement actions. When necessary, charges will be laid.