Canada Gazette, Part I, Volume 155, Number 10: Regulations Amending the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

March 6, 2021

Statutory authorities

Canada Wildlife Act
Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act

Sponsoring department

Department of the Environment

REGULATORY IMPACT ANALYSIS STATEMENT

(This statement is not part of the Regulations.)

Issues

In 2018, the Dehcho First Nations, in partnership with the Government of Canada, announced the establishment of the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area in the Northwest Territories (N.W.T.), under Dehcho Dene law. This designation, also known as an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area (IPCA), sets out key objectives, such as ensuring the conservation of wildlife and its habitat, and it recognizes the leadership of the Dehcho in caring for the land, and enables the Dehcho people to benefit economically from the management of the area. However, this designation does not provide a regulatory framework or enforcement tools under Canadian law to protect wildlife and wildlife habitat present on the land.

Therefore, the Edéhzhíe Establishment Agreement (EEA), signed by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) and the Grand Chief of the Dehcho First Nations, provides a commitment to also establish the area as a national wildlife area (NWA) under the Wildlife Area Regulations (WAR). Through the proposed complementary designation of Edéhzhíe as both a Dehcho Protected Area and as an NWA, the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada would work together to protect the area's ecological integrity from impacts of future development and ensure that the Dehcho Dene way of life is maintained for present and future generations.

Background

The Canada Wildlife Act (CWA) and its set of regulations, WAR, allow for the establishment, management and protection of NWAs for research, conservation, and interpretation. NWAs are established in order to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. In Budget 2018, under the Nature Legacy initiative, the Government of Canada committed to supporting Canada's biodiversity and to protecting species at risk, in part by expanding the network of NWAs. In addition, the 2019 Speech from the Throne committed to protect and conserve 25% of Canada's lands and oceans by 2025. Furthermore, ECCC is mandated to advocate at the United Nations Climate Change Conference that countries around the world set a 30% conservation goal for 2030.

Established in 2018, the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area is the first co-managed IPCA designated under the policy and financial framework established by Canada's Nature Legacy initiative. Edéhzhíe is a spiritual place and is ecologically and physically unique because its lands, waters, and wildlife are integral to the Dehcho Dene culture, language, and way of life. Edéhzhíe protects the headwaters of much of the watershed of the Dehcho region. Its diverse habitat ranges from wetlands to forests and it is home to a wide variety of northern plants and animals. Edéhzhíe encompasses the Horn Plateau, a 600 m escarpment rising above the Mackenzie Valley, and the surrounding area of boreal forest drained by the Horn and Willowlake rivers.

Edéhzhíe provides important habitat for boreal woodland caribou and wood bison: two species listed respectively as threatened and as species of special concern under the federal Species at Risk Act. Edéhzhíe also contains a portion of Mills Lake, which is a key biodiversity area. A key biodiversity area is an area that has been identified as having characteristics that make it important to the maintenance of biodiversity and sustaining wildlife populations. This is a global initiative based on standards and criteria set by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Task Force on Biodiversity and Protected Areas. Mills Lake hosts significant portions of the national population of several migratory bird species, including 12% of Canada's eastern population of Tundra swans and 14% of its mid-continent population of Greater White-fronted geese. It has been designated as a key biodiversity area, as it contributes to the global persistence of biodiversity and represents an area of international importance in terms of biodiversity conservation.

Figure: Map of the proposed Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area

Figure: Map of the proposed Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area - Text version

The figure is a map showing the location of the proposed Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area. The figure also shows the location of key geographic references that include Wrigley, northwest of the national wildlife area, Fort Simpson and Jean-Marie River, west of the national wildlife area, and Fort Providence, southeast of the national wildlife area. At the top right of the figure, a bigger scale map shows the location of the Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area within the Northwest Territories, boarded by Yukon in the west and by Nunavut in the east.

Objective

The objective of the Regulations Amending the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (the proposed amendments) is the protection and conservation, under Canadian law, of wildlife, wildlife habitat, and a unique terrestrial ecosystem in the 14 218 km^{footnote 2} Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area.

Expected outcomes of the creation of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA are as follows:

1. Eco-cultural attributes of the Edéhzhíe NWA would be protected and enhanced through the Dehcho First Nations role as co-manager.
2. The proposed designation as an NWA would result in long-term legal protections under WAR, thereby contributing to the conservation of the species at risk and other wildlife and habitat in the area.
3. There would be potential for increased income for local people from the Edéhzhíe NWA management, Guardians monitoring activities, and outreach activities.
4. Potential for increased tourism for activities that are in line with the Edéhzhíe management plan and are authorized through a permit issued under WAR.

Description

The current Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area under Dehcho Dene law is located north of the Mackenzie River between the communities of Wrigley, Fort Simpson, Jean Marie River, Fort Providence, Whatì and Behchokö, in the Northwest Territories, with the northeast boundary bordering both Dehcho and Tłı̨chǫ First Nations traditional territories.

The proposed Edéhzhíe NWA would reflect the same boundaries. It would be established by amending Schedule I of WAR to include a description of these boundaries. In 2015, the administration of the lands for the proposed NWA was transferred from the Minister of Indigenous and Northern Affairs (now known as the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations) to the Minister of the Environment.

After the implementation of this regulatory change, entry into the Edéhzhíe NWA would be prohibited, except for

• individuals authorized to enter through the issuance of a permit under WAR; or
• individuals exercising section 35 rights under the Constitution Act, 1982, in a manner consistent with Dehcho law, in accordance with section 3.3(a) of the Edéhzhíe Establishment Agreement.

Pursuant to subsection 3(1) of the current WAR, no person may do the following activities within the boundaries of a national wildlife area, unless authorized by a permit issued under WAR:

• (a) introduce any living organism that is likely to result in harm to any wildlife or the degradation of any wildlife residence or wildlife habitat;
• (b) hunt, fish or trap;
• (c) be in possession of any equipment that could be used for hunting, fishing or trapping;
• (d) have in their possession, while fishing, any lead sinkers or lead jigs;
• (e) have in their possession any wildlife, carcass, nest, egg or a part of any of those things;
• (f) carry on any agricultural activity, graze livestock or harvest any natural or cultivated crop;
• (g) bring a domestic animal with hooves into the wildlife area;
• (h) allow any domestic animal to run at large or keep it on a leash that is longer than three metres;
• (i) carry on any recreational activities, including swimming, camping, hiking, wildlife viewing, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing and skating;
• (j) participate in a group meal or a group event of 15 or more people;
• (k) light or maintain a fire;
• (l) operate a conveyance — including a conveyance without a driver on board — other than an aircraft;
• (m) conduct a take-off or landing of an aircraft, including a remotely piloted aircraft;
• (n) operate on land or in the water a remotely controlled self-propelled device or set in motion on land or in the water an autonomous self-propelled device;
• (o) remove, deface, damage or destroy any poster or sign or any fence, building or other structure;
• (p) sell, or offer for sale, any goods or services;
• (q) carry on any industrial activity;
• (r) disturb or remove any soil, sand, gravel or other material;
• (s) dump or deposit any rubbish or waste material, or any substance that would degrade or alter the quality of the environment;
• (t) remove, deface, damage or destroy any artifact or natural object; or
• (u) carry out any other activity that is likely to disturb, damage, destroy or remove from the wildlife area any wildlife — whether alive or dead — wildlife residence or wildlife habitat.

The proposed amendments would also make consequential amendments to the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations in order to add the Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area to the list of NWAs within it. This would enable an administrative monetary penalty to be issued in the event that an individual enters the NWA without a permit.

Regulatory development

Consultation

Protecting Edéhzhíe's culturally important and ecologically diverse land has been a community-driven process for over 20 years. Since 2002, regular meetings have been held among First Nations, and with stakeholders, including the oil gas sector, conservation groups, the mining sector, the tourism sector, the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT), local communities in the Northwest Territories, Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, ECCC, and others.

In 2009, the Edéhzhíe Working Group (comprised of the above-noted entities) completed its Edéhzhíe Recommendation Report, which recommended the establishment of an NWA under WAR. The report was submitted to the Dehcho First Nations and the Tłı̨chǫ Government in March 2010. After completing the Recommendation Report, the Edéhzhíe Working Group met on several occasions (2011 and 2013) to discuss and develop next steps to protect the area.

In 2014, the Dehcho First Nations signalled to the Government of Canada that they wanted to build momentum towards formally establishing Edéhzhíe as a protected area. This led to additional meetings and consultations to determine the path forward. The Dehcho First Nations and ECCC worked closely together for the next several years to develop the EEA. The Dehcho First Nations provided regular updates during annual Dehcho First Nations Assemblies, which all Dehcho First Nations communities attend. They provided an opportunity to discuss the path forward towards establishing Edéhzhíe as a protected area with communities in the area.

In 2017 and 2018, ECCC and the Dehcho First Nations consulted with the Tłı̨chǫ Government to reconfirm their support for the boundary and the EEA. The Tłı̨chǫ Government supports the protection of Edéhzhíe.

In 2018, the GNWT was engaged regarding the subsurface rights and pertinent sections of the EEA. This consultation led to an additional clause being added to the EEA regarding the Willowlake River Corridor. Through the EEA signed on October 11, 2018, the Dehcho First Nations and the Government of Canada became partners in this protection.

On June 4, 2020, agreement was reached with the GNWT to permanently withdraw all subsurface rights under Edéhzhíe. The proposed NWA would be co-managed by ECCC and the Dehcho First Nations, with input from the GNWT.

In parallel with this proposal, ECCC is conducting a preliminary screening pursuant to subsection 124(2) of the Mackenzie Valley Resource Management Act (MVRMA). Under the MVRMA, the designation of the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area as an NWA is considered a development which must be evaluated through a preliminary screening. The purpose of the preliminary screening is to allow the public and interested parties to determine whether or not there might be any significant impacts on the environment or significant public concerns. If significant adverse impacts on the environment or significant public concerns exist, than this proposal for NWA designation would be referred to the Mackenzie Valley Environmental Impact Review Board (MVEIRB) for an environmental assessment. The Edéhzhíe Management Board, Dehcho First Nations and Tłı̨chǫ Government have all expressed that the proposed NWA designation should not be referred to the MVEIRB for an environmental assessment. However, should it be determined that an environmental assessment is necessary, the designation process will be paused until the environmental assessment is concluded.

Modern treaty obligations and Indigenous engagement and consultation

As required by the Cabinet Directive on Regulation, an assessment of modern treaty implications was conducted on the proposed amendments. The assessment did not identify any modern treaty implications or obligations.

Section 3.3(a) of the EEA specifies that individuals exercising section 35 rights under the Constitution Act, 1982, in a manner consistent with Dehcho law shall not require additional permits or authorizations from Canada, and shall not be required to pay fees to engage in Dene Ahthít'e ^{footnote 1} within Edéhzhíe, including for resource harvesting and other cultural uses and activities. Therefore, in exercising section 35 rights consistent with Dehcho law, permits shall not be required, and fees shall not be required to be paid to the Government of Canada.

As a result, the establishment of Edéhzhíe NWA would not affect resource harvesting by Dehcho First Nations and would not create any new restrictions or prohibitions that could affect section 35 rights.

Instrument choice

NWAs are established pursuant to the CWA to protect and conserve wildlife and wildlife habitat. Under section 12 of the CWA, the Governor in Council may make regulations for the preservation, control and management of lands acquired by the Minister of the Environment under the CWA. Regulations are the sole method to manage and effectively protect NWAs in order to ensure the conservation of wildlife and wildlife habitats; therefore, other instruments were not considered.

Regulatory analysis

Benefits and costs

This analysis presents the benefits and costs of the proposal to add Edéhzhíe to Schedule I of WAR by comparing the differences between two scenarios: the policy scenario in which Edéhzhíe NWA is established, and a baseline scenario that reflects current and otherwise planned activities in Edéhzhíe as a Dehcho Protected Area. Currently, Edéhzhíe is effectively protected by the Dehcho First Nations under Dehcho Dene law. The proposed NWA designation would add enforceable long-term legal protections from the CWA to the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area. Overall, the analysis did not indicate that the proposed amendments would result in significant incremental costs for stakeholders, Indigenous peoples, or the Government.

Benefits

Although the proposed NWA would provide legal certainty and long-term legal protection for Edéhzhíe, the benefits associated with protection of the area cannot be attributed to the proposed amendments on their own, given the establishment of the Edéhzhíe Dehcho Protected Area under Dehcho Dene law. Nevertheless, some information about the social and ecological value of the area is provided below for context.

Socio-economic and cultural values for Indigenous peoples

Edéhzhíe has unique spiritual, social, and cultural values for the Dehcho First Nations. ^{footnote 2} This is due to their long-standing connection to the land, water, and wildlife of Edéhzhíe. The Dehcho First Nations also value the many cultural sites, trails, and harvesting areas found in Edéhzhíe that they have traditionally used for hunting, fishing, trapping, and other activities. ^{footnote 3}

Species at risk in Edéhzhíe

There are many species at risk found within Edéhzhíe. Some examples include

• woodland (boreal) caribou;
• wood bison;
• wolverine;
• peregrine falcon;
• short-eared owl;
• olive-sided flycatcher;
• common nighthawk;
• rusty blackbird;
• yellow rail; and
• evening grosbeak.

Establishing the NWA will provide additional protection of an ecologically diverse area like Edéhzhíe contributes to overall biodiversity, the maintenance of which is essential for healthy ecosystems, human health, prosperity, and well-being. Ecosystems that are more diverse are generally more stable and better able to withstand change.

Boreal caribou habitat protection

The boreal caribou's critical habitat is extensive in Edéhzhíe. ^{footnote 4} Caribou are an important part of Dehcho First Nations culture and identity, enabling spirituality, rituals, language preservation, knowledge transmission, traditions, and connection to the past. Caribou are recurrent and central in Dehcho First Nations stories, songs, art and ceremonies. Not only are caribou featured as cultural symbols for the Dehcho First Nations, but their hides, bones, and antlers are also used to make drums and other artifacts for cultural activities and rituals. ^{footnote 5}

Furthermore, the Dehcho First Nations crest displays caribou, symbolizing the relationship between this species and the communities' identity. ^{footnote 6} In at least one Dehcho area, place names associated with mbedzih (caribou) are still used, including place names associated with the cultural story of a talking caribou. ^{footnote 5}

Wood bison habitat protection

Wood bison inhabit the eastern portion of Edéhzhíe ^{footnote 4} and have significant cultural value to the Dehcho First Nations. The Dehcho First Nations relationship with the wood bison creates a sense of community through the harvest. ^{footnote 9} The Dehcho First Nations crest also displays bison, symbolizing the relationship between this species and the communities' identity. Knowledge transfer and teachings about culturally significant species such as the wood bison are extremely important practices for the Dehcho First Nations, as they pass on their culture, spirituality, traditional practices, languages and history (stories, legends, songs, etc.) orally or through practices on traditional lands. Furthermore, teachings about the traditions and hunting of wood bison specifically cannot be replicated with another species or activity. By securing Edéhzhíe as an NWA, the long-term legal protections under Canadian law would reduce legal uncertainty as to whether future Dehcho First Nations generations could lose this aspect of Indigenous culture and knowledge.

Iconic species

Studies on other at-risk species indicate that Canadians value vulnerable species, ^{footnote 10} especially iconic or charismatic species. ^{footnote 11, footnote 12} Caribou are an iconic Canadian wildlife species, appearing on the 25-cent coin and as symbols on crests, shields and monuments throughout the country. For example, caribou appear on the Federal Court's coat of arms, the Newfoundland and Labrador coat of arms, the Nunavut coat of arms, and on several military regiment badges. Boreal caribou are one of Canada's most widely distributed populations of large mammals; they are found in nine provinces and territories across Canada. The species is often used as a symbol of Canada's vast landscape.

Bison are also an iconic Canadian wildlife species, prominent on the RCMP badge, military regiment badges, and on shields and monuments throughout the country (coat of arms of the Regina, Calgary, and Manitoba courts). ^{footnote 13}

General habitat

Edéhzhíe provides many benefits to Canadians, including aesthetic and recreational opportunities, and ecological services such as nitrogen cycling, carbon storage and sequestration, air filtration, flood control, water flow mitigation, and water filtration. ^{footnote 14} For example, boreal forests store and sequester a large amount of carbon. Boreal forests play an essential role in the carbon cycle, as they store about 49% of carbon worldwide. ^{footnote 15} According to one study, ^{footnote 16} the Canadian boreal forest (biomass and soil) stores 47.5 billion tonnes of carbon (or 174 billion tonnes of CO₂) ^{footnote 17} and sequesters 103.6 million tonnes of carbon annually (or 384 million tonnes of CO₂). The same study estimates that peatlands of the Canadian boreal forests store 19.5 billion tonnes of carbon (or 71.5 billion tonnes of CO₂) and sequester 21.4 million tonnes of carbon per year (or 78 million tonnes of CO₂). In the absence of this sequestration, net emissions would be higher.

Additionally, forests help regulate water flow, prevent floods, reduce run-off, control erosion, ^{footnote 18} and offer, along with wetlands and peatlands, clean water via water filtration. Flood control and water filtration by peatlands are estimated to be the boreal forest's ecosystem service with the highest economic value. ^{footnote 19}

Option value

Canadian residents and firms may hold a value associated with the preservation of Canadian genetic information that may be used in the future for biological, medicinal, genetic engineering and other applications such as species recovery. Economic theory also suggests there is a benefit to erring on the side of avoiding an irreversible outcome (i.e. extinction). Therefore, Canadian residents and firms may benefit from the potential future uses of species being conserved in the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA.

Environmental benefits, including benefits to animal and plant health

NWAs are created and managed for the purposes of wildlife conservation, research, and interpretation. They are established to protect migratory birds, species at risk, and other wildlife and their residences and habitats. The establishment of the Edéhzhíe NWA would help further these objectives, contribute to overall biodiversity, recognize the leadership of the Dehcho in caring for the land, and ensure that the Dehcho people benefit economically from the management of this area.

Benefits to Dehcho First Nations

The land that would be protected through the establishment of the NWA has always been fundamental to the health and cultural identity of the Dehcho First Nations. The Dehcho First Nations have developed specific concepts, practices and standards of care that are derived from and deployed on the land, which commonly aim to maintain spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellness. Generally, land-based programs have components of storytelling, legends, and teachings, and thus can be viewed as a culturally specific therapeutic technique that could improve the mental health and educational experience of the Dehcho First Nations. The proposed establishment of the Edéhzhíe NWA would help to maintain these benefits and ensure the land remains accessible for the Dehcho First Nations.

Costs

Recreation and tourism

In the short term, the proposed amendments are not expected to have an impact on recreational or tourism activities in the area because there are currently no known tourism businesses operating within the boundary of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA. Possible tourist activities, such as fishing and hunting by individuals, except individuals exercising their land rights or traditional activities protected by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982 in a manner consistent with Dehcho law, would be prohibited under the proposed amendments, unless authorized by a permit.

In the unlikely event that there are tourism activities currently being undertaken in the proposed NWA area, they would become newly subject to the permitting requirements. Should there be an increase in tourism activities as a result of the proposed amendments, they would also be subject to the permitting requirements. The requirements for tourist activities to take place within the NWA boundary, including the issuance of permits, would be a part of the Edéhzhíe management plan, which is currently being developed by the Dehcho First Nations under the EEA.

Oil and gas exploration and development

The proposed amendments are not expected to affect the oil and gas exploration and development industry. According to a geographic information system (GIS) analysis, the only surface wells in Edéhzhíe were used in the 1960s and are now abandoned. Future sites would most likely be located outside the boundaries of Edéhzhíe.

Mining and future mining

According to datasets managed by Natural Resources Canada, there are currently no active, planned, or potential future mines within the boundaries of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA. According to the Northwest Territories Geological Survey, there are no mineral tenures overlapping with the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA, including coal exploration licences, mineral leases, or prospecting permits. In addition, there are no mineral showings overlapping with the boundaries of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA. Therefore, the mining industry is not expected to be affected.

Cost to the Government of Canada ^{footnote 20}

As the lead authority for the proposed NWA, ECCC already carries costs relating to the existing management and coordination of the area. Through the 2018 EEA, ECCC matches funding to the Dehcho First Nations to use for longer-term management and the Indigenous Guardians program. The Dehcho Ke'hodi Edéhzhíe Guardians are responsible for working with elders and harvesters on building trails, establishing cabins, on-the-land programming for communities, and leading fieldwork for traditional and scientific research (e.g. songbird monitoring, water quality monitoring).

This would continue with the establishment of the NWA, and would include additional management activities, as well as compliance promotion and enforcement activities related to the implementation of the proposed amendments. ECCC estimates that the additional annual salary, capital, and operations budget required for the management of the proposed NWA would be approximately $210,000 per year (in 2019 dollars). These funds would support the implementation of collaborative management agreements and activities under the Edéhzhíe management plan, including the required collaborative science and ecosystem monitoring for adaptive management of the NWA. In addition, these resources would support environmental enforcement and compliance monitoring, including working with the Edéhzhíe Guardian program to increase surveillance in the NWA. The estimated cost for these enforcement activities would be $202,000. In addition, a one-time cost of compliance promotion products (e.g. fact sheets, signage) in the first year after the establishment of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA is estimated to be $25,000. Ongoing compliance promotion in the following years has not been estimated, but it would likely be considerably less.

Administrative costs of the proposed NWA designation to ECCC are expected to be minimal, as only a few permit applications are expected each year. Therefore, the total cost to the Government of Canada as a result of the proposed amendments is estimated to be $437,000 in the first year of implementation resulting in a total present value of approximately $4,000,000 over 10 years.

Small business lens

The small business lens does not apply to this proposal, as it is not expected to affect small businesses.

One-for-one rule

The one-for-one rule does not apply to this proposal, as it is not expected to affect businesses.

Regulatory cooperation and alignment

This proposal does not affect regulatory cooperation and alignment activities of the Government of Canada.

Strategic environmental assessment

In accordance with the Cabinet Directive on the Environmental Assessment of Policy, Plan and Program Proposals, a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) was conducted for the establishment of the Edéhzhíe NWA. The SEA concluded that establishing Edéhzhíe as a NWA is not likely to result in important negative environmental effects. It would have positive environmental effects and would contribute to the implementation of the following 2019 – 2022 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy goals:

1. Sustainably managed lands and forests: Lands and forests support biodiversity and provide a variety of ecosystem services for generations to come. This proposal would contribute to sustainably managed lands and forests within Edéhzhíe.
2. Healthy wildlife populations: All species have healthy and viable populations. Edéhzhíe contains important habitat for boreal woodland caribou and wood bison, two threatened species listed under the Species at Risk Act.
3. Effective action on climate change: An expanded and strengthened protected areas network would contribute to the larger Government of Canada strategy to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
4. Connecting Canadians with nature: This proposal would enable working with Indigenous peoples to protect and conserve lands and waters, including through the Edéhzhíe Guardians Program.

ECCC is committed to protecting Canada's wildlife and wildlife habitat. The proposal would support efforts related to the national target that by 2025, at least 25% of terrestrial areas and inland water are conserved through networks of protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. With its 14 218 km^{footnote 2}, Edéhzhíe, when designated as an IPCA with funding from the Canada Nature Fund, contributed approximately 0.14% to the 25% target. This was the first IPCA funded by the Canada Nature Fund and the most significant contribution to date to the target by a Canada Nature Fund project.

Gender-based analysis plus

A gender-based analysis plus (GBA+) was performed for this proposal. As a result of this analysis, it was determined that the proposed amendments are not expected to have any negative impacts on particular groups of the Dehcho First Nations or Canadians.

The analysis also found that the Dehcho First Nations in particular would benefit positively from the establishment of the Edéhzhíe NWA, as the proposal is expected to help the Dehcho First Nations to maintain spiritual, emotional, mental and physical wellness. In addition, the proposal could help Indigenous women in particular to sustainably contribute to local livelihoods and national economies through a possible increase in tourism, which may provide a range of benefits to people living nearby.

Implementation, compliance and enforcement, and service standards

Implementation

Upon establishment of the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA, ECCC would continue to be the lead federal organization responsible for compliance promotion and enforcement activities according to the protections provided for under WAR.

Compliance and enforcement

A compliance strategy has been developed to support the implementation of the proposed amendments. Compliance promotion initiatives are proactive measures that encourage voluntary compliance with the law through education and outreach activities that raise awareness and understanding. Given that the proposed amendments would not impose any notable new requirements, compliance promotion and enforcement activities would be limited, and would have a targeted focus. These activities may involve Web content, social media, direct mail-outs, signage, etc.

The CWA provides wildlife officers (designated under the CWA) with various powers (e.g. inspections, right of passage, search and seizure, custody of things seized) and enforcement measures (compliance orders, tickets, administrative monetary penalties [AMPs] and prosecutions) to secure compliance. The Designation of Regulatory Provisions for Purposes of Enforcement (Canada Wildlife Act) Regulations (the Designation Regulations) designate offences under the CWA that subject an offender to the minimum fines and increased maximum fines upon conviction by prosecution.

Enforcement activities are generally prioritized based on the conservation risk to wildlife and wildlife habitat as well as the level of risk of non-compliance. In cases involving minor situations of non-compliance, a warning, compliance order, ticket or AMPs may be appropriate. In cases involving a serious incident of non-compliance, prosecution may be the most appropriate recourse for enforcement purposes. In such cases, the fine regime described in the Designation Regulations would apply upon conviction. It also explains offences and punishments (penalties, fines and imprisonment) for offenders, whether they are individuals, small revenue corporations or other persons. Schedule I.2 of the Contravention Regulations designates offences under the CWA that can subject an offender to a ticket. The Schedule 1, Part 2, Division 1 of the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations designates violations under the CWA that can subject a violator to an AMP.

While the above-mentioned tools would be available for use by wildlife officers within the proposed Edéhzhíe NWA, when considering enforcement activities in the Edéhzhíe NWA, ECCC would communicate with the Edéhzhíe Management Board and work with the Dehcho K'éhodi Stewardship and Guardian Program to coordinate activities and establish priorities. The Government of Canada would work collaboratively with the Dehcho First Nations to protect the area's ecological integrity and ensure that the Dehcho Dene way of life is maintained for present and future generations.

Contact

Caroline Ladanowski
Director
Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs Division
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, 16th Floor
Gatineau, Quebec
K1A 0H3
Email: ec.ReglementsFaune-WildlifeRegulations.ec@canada.ca

PROPOSED REGULATORY TEXT

Notice is given that the Administrator in Council proposes to make the annexed Regulations Amending the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations pursuant to

• (a) section 12 ^{footnote a} of the Canada Wildlife Act ^{footnote b}; and
• (b) subsection 5(1) of the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act ^{footnote c}.

Interested persons may make representations concerning the proposed Regulations within 30 days after the date of publication of this notice. All such representations must cite the Canada Gazette, Part I, and the date of publication of this notice, and be addressed to Caroline Ladanowski, Director, Wildlife Management and Regulatory Affairs, Canadian Wildlife Service, Department of the Environment, 351 Saint-Joseph Boulevard, 16th Floor, Gatineau, Quebec K1A 0H3 (email: ec.ReglementsFaune-WildlifeRegulations.ec@canada.ca).

Ottawa, February 25, 2021

Julie Adair
Assistant Clerk of the Privy Council

Regulations Amending the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties

Canada Wildlife Act

Wildlife Area Regulations

1 Subsection 3.3(1) of the Wildlife Area Regulations ^{footnote 21} is amended by adding the following after paragraph (g):

• (g.1) Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area, as set out in item 1 of Part IX of Schedule I;

2 Schedule I to the Regulations is amended by adding the following after Part VIII:

PART IX

Northwest Territories

1 Edéhzhíe National Wildlife Area

All geographic coordinates that follow refer to the North American Datum of 1983, Canadian Spatial Reference System (NAD83(CSRS)) and any reference to a straight line is a reference to points joined directly on a NAD83(CSRS) Universal Transverse Mercator projected plane surface.

In the Northwest Territories;

All that parcel in the vicinity of the Horn Plateau, including all land, water and islands, and being more particularly described as follows:

• Commencing at the point of latitude 61°26′32″N and longitude 118°24′50″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°35′04″N and longitude 118°33′07″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°41′58″N and longitude 118°26′31″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°46′19″N and longitude 118°45′37″W;
• Thence westerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°48′20″N and longitude 119°51′34″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°57′00″N and longitude 120°32′51″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°09′23″N and longitude 120°56′24″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°13′38″N and longitude 121°02′24″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°29′48″N and longitude 120°50′38″W;
• Thence northerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°36′37″N and longitude 120°52′06″W;
• Thence westerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°36′28″N and longitude 120°55′23″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°35′05″N and longitude 121°00′23″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°35′45″N and longitude 121°08′22″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′19″N and longitude 121°11′39″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°38′01″N and longitude 121°19′25″W;
• Thence westerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′35″N and longitude 121°29′38″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°29′44″N and longitude 121°42′20″W;
• Thence westerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°29′14″N and longitude 121°52′20″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°31′35″N and longitude 121°58′04″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°35′38″N and longitude 122°03′33″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′46″N and longitude 122°11′15″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°36′42″N and longitude 122°23′37″W;
• Thence westerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′05″N and longitude 122°36′58″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′20″N and longitude 122°42′00″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′00″N and longitude 122°48′29″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°38′24″N and longitude 122°51′33″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′49″N and longitude 122°57′38″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′18″N and longitude 123°01′05″W;
• Thence northerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°42′48″N and longitude 123°02′31″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′53″N and longitude 122°54′44″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°42′09″N and longitude 122°49′00″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°41′24″N and longitude 122°40′15″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′15″N and longitude 122°34′55″W;
• Thence easterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°38′59″N and longitude 122°23′47″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′16″N and longitude 122°10′10″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°38′33″N and longitude 122°02′30″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°35′18″N and longitude 121°55′22″ W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°31′58″N and longitude 121°50′44″W;
• Thence easterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°32′07″N and longitude 121°45′28″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′04″N and longitude 121°31′51″W;
• Thence easterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′27″N and longitude 121°23′42″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′17″N and longitude 121°15′15″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′06″N and longitude 121°07′29″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°37′14″N and longitude 121°01′40″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°40′11″N and longitude 120°53′10″W;
• Thence northwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°50′27″N and longitude 121°09′30″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°53′05″N and longitude 120°58′28″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°54′30″N and longitude 120°41′24″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′15″N and longitude 120°23′37″W;
• Thence easterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°39′02″N and longitude 120°12′33″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°34′26″N and longitude 119°56′46″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°35′37″N and longitude 119°39′22″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°31′26″N and longitude 119°06′21″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°26′26″N and longitude 118°47′04″W;
• Thence southerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°11′59″N and longitude 118°47′14″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°08′05″N and longitude 118°32′54″W;
• Thence southerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°02′43″N and longitude 118°32′29″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°00′34″N and longitude 118°29′44″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°02′48″N and longitude 117°38′06″W;
• Thence northerly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°13′37″N and longitude 117°39′02″W;
• Thence northeasterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 62°14′57″N and longitude 117°27′52″W;
• Thence southeasterly in a straight line to the point at latitude 62°06′00″N and longitude 117°15′00″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point at latitude 61°27′00″N and longitude 117°55′21″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to a point on the ordinary high water mark of the south shore of a first unnamed island in the Mackenzie River at approximate latitude 61°26′04″N and longitude 117°57′00″W ;
• Thence northwesterly, westerly and southwesterly along said ordinary high water mark, across the mouths of various tributaries, to a point on the westerly extremity of an unnamed peninsula at approximate latitude 61°28′23″N and longitude 118°16′13″W;
• Thence southwesterly in a straight line to the point of commencement;
• Said parcel containing approximately 14 218 square kilometres.

Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Act

Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations

3 Division 2 of Part 2 of Schedule 1 to the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations ^{footnote 22} is amended by adding the following after item 29:

Item	Column 1 Provision	Column 2 Violation Type
29.1	3.3(1)(g.1)	A

Coming into Force

4 These Regulations come into force on the day on which they are registered.