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Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

This Act and its complementary Regulations ensure the conservation of migratory bird populations by regulating potentially harmful human activities. A permit must be issued for all activities affecting migratory birds, with some exceptions detailed in the Regulations.

In the Migratory Birds Regulations, you will find the regulatory requirements regarding migratory bird hunting, as well as those applicable to other activities related to migratory birds, including:

  • sale, gift or purchase
  • shipment
  • aviculture
  • taxidermy
  • activities involving birds causing damage or danger (e.g., agriculture)
  • activities involving overabundant species
  • activities at airports
  • activities for scientific research purposes
  • collection, possession, sale or trade of eiderdown
  • import of migratory bird species that are not indigenous to Canada

The Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations grant sanctuary status to areas that represent habitat that is important ot migratory birds. These sanctuaries help protect the birds from hunting and all other disturbances while they are in breeding and other staging areas.

The Regulations ban all activities that are harmful to migratory birds, their eggs or their nests. However, some activities, such as hunting, may be practiced with the appropriate permit.


Note: The following links are to html or pdf documents from the federal departments of Justice and the Environment.

Links to Available Legislative Texts

  Format
html     pdf

Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994

 
Migratory Bird Regulations

 
Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations

 
Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations

 
Migratory Birds Hunting Regulations 2005 (Summaries)
   

Other links

 
List of Migratory Bird Sanctuaries
List of National Wildlife Areas

 
Migratory Birds Convention (signed the 16th of August, 1916)

 
Protocol Between The Government of Canada and The Government of The United States of America Amending The 1916 Convention Between The United Kingdom and United States of America for the Protection of Migratory Birds in Canada and The United States (signed the 14th of December, 1995)