The Honourable Pleaman Forsey, Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands, today introduced proposed legislation to amend the Endangered Species Act.
Proposed amendments aim to strengthen legislation and enhance support for the conservation and protection of Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife and endangered species.
Amending the Endangered Species Act would also deter illegal activities and further protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s wildlife and endangered species.
The amendments would increase fines for offences that impact species protected under the Endangered Species Act to create stronger deterrents to illegal activities.
Fines for a first conviction would change from not less than $1,000 and not more than $50,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, or both, to fines not less than $3,000 and not more than $50,000, or a term of imprisonment maintained at not more than three months.
Fines for a second conviction would change from not less than $2,000 and not more than $100,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than six months, to fines not less than $6,000 and not more than $100,000, or term of imprisonment maintained at not more than six months.
For third and subsequent convictions, fines would change from not less than $4,000 and not more than $200,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than 12 months, or both, to fines not less than $12,000 and not more than $250,000, or term of imprisonment maintained at not more than 12 months.
A corporation convicted of an offence under the Endangered Species Act will face amended fines not less than $5,000 or more than $2 million.
These amendments would clarify and enhance legislative provisions related to the responsibilities of Resource Enforcement Officers and modernize legislation for clarity and ease of interpretation.
The amendments would also allow more time for the Provincial Government to respond to designation recommendations to ensure thorough public consultation. This would give greater time for the due diligence required to make effective recommendations to the Minister and better align with legislative timelines.
The department sought feedback on proposed and draft amendments to enforcement-related provisions, fines and penalties in the Endangered Species Act and applicable regulations, with overall public support for increasing fines.
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“We manage and conserve Newfoundland and Labrador’s biodiversity and wildlife resources for all of us. Activities that negatively impact our cherished wildlife species are unacceptable. Proposed amendments to the Endangered Species Act aim to ensure enforcement officers are better equipped to protect Newfoundland and Labrador’s at-risk wildlife resources.”
Honourable Pleaman Forsey
Minister of Forestry, Agriculture and Lands
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