On April 14, 2021, Québec Ombudsperson Marie Rinfret sent a brief to the Committee on Transportation and the Environment on Bill 88, Act to amend the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife and other legislative provisions.
The Ombudsperson welcomes this bill, which she feels will strengthen wildlife and wildlife habitat conservation and development.
Despite this, she made three recommendations. The first was about wildlife protection officers’ powers for entering homes. Ms. Rinfret considers that the officers should not be allowed to enter without a search warrant unless there is an emergency, and only under strict conditions.
Her two other recommendations concerned the seizure of animals. Big game farmers whose livestock is confiscated must cover animal care expenses during proceedings. These costs may be very high. That is why the Ombudsperson feels that, as in the Animal Welfare and Safety Act, animal owners should be able to negotiate an agreement allowing them to maintain custodial care of the animals until the end of proceedings.
