Introduction
Canadian hunting regulations for migratory game birds are reviewed annually by Environment Canada, with input from the provinces and territories, and a range of other interested stakeholders. As part of this process, the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) produces three reports each year. The November report Population Status of Migratory Game Birds in Canada contains population and other biological information on migratory game birds, and thus provides the scientific basis for management. The December report Proposals to Amend the Canadian Migratory Birds Regulations outlines the proposed changes to the annual hunting regulations, as well as other proposed amendments to the Migratory Birds Regulations. Proposals for hunting regulations are developed in accordance with the Objectives and Guidelines for the Establishment of National Regulations for Migratory Game Bird Hunting. These two reports are distributed to organizations and individuals with an interest in migratory game bird conservation, to provide an opportunity for input to the development of hunting regulations in this country. The third report Migratory Game Bird Hunting Regulations in Canada, issued in July, summarizes the hunting regulations for the upcoming hunting season.
The process for development of regulations in Canada requires that any changes be made as final proposals by early March each year. That means that regulations must be set without the benefit of knowledge about the breeding conditions and production forecasts of the current year. This does not usually present difficulties because the hunting regulations are based on trends over several years, but in some cases the results from recent harvest surveys or breeding population surveys conducted in May and June will indicate that changes in the national approach are needed to ensure conservation of migratory game birds. In this case, the Canadian Wildlife Service would issue a bulletin updating these regulations.
Revised Annual Schedule for the Development of Hunting Regulations
The annual schedule is based on the requirement to have the annual hunting regulations made into law by early June each year:
Early November - The November report, containing biological information, is distributed by CWS-HQ.
November and December - Jurisdictions develop proposals for hunting regulations in coordination with CWS Regional Directors.
December 15 - CWS Regions provide to CWS-HQ proposed changes to hunting regulations (with justification) for the upcoming year, as well as any other information that should be included in the December report, including advance notice on items for future years. Descriptions of zone changes are sent by CWS Regions to the Surveyor General, for review, approval and translation.
Early January - CWS-HQ distributes the December report, containing regulation proposals, to allow for public, inter-regional and international consultation.
February 22 - Replies from consultation are due at CWS Regional Directors' offices, who ensure distribution to the provinces and territories.
Mid-January through early March - CWS Regions work with the provinces and territories to finalize regulation proposals.
March 11 - Final proposals, as well as the final text of the regulations and regulation summaries, are sent by CWS Regional Directors to CWS-HQ.
April through May - CWS-HQ undertakes the process to prepare legal documents and obtain approvals of regulatory proposals.
June - Final hunting regulations, adjusted if necessary to account for public comment, become law.
July 15 - Hunting regulation summaries are available at Canada Post Outlets.
End of July - CWS-HQ finalizes the July report containing the final proposals for hunting regulations and the hunting regulation summaries.
End of August - Regulation consolidations are available to CWS Regions.
Note to United States Readers
The annual cycle of regulation development in Canada is earlier than that in the United States. To meet the requirements of the Canadian regulatory process, proposals for hunting regulations must be finalized no later than early March each year. Canadian representatives at the summer Flyway Council meetings and other hearings are not reporting on what is being considered, but on what has been passed into law.
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