Frank Rohwer and David Koons
In this communication we outline the basic information about the types of permits needed to undertake field research on wildlife in Canada. To no dismay, the types of permits and the procedure for obtaining authorization for research differs from that in the U.S. Thus, the scope of this article is to increase awareness of U.S. researchers about the Canadian permitting procedures for wildlife research. As in the U.S., you must first determine what regulatory agency has jurisdiction over the animal you plan to study. Research on federally protected migratory birds will primarily fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government, specifically the Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) of Environment Canada. <http://www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/enforce/index_e.cfm> Most other species of birds, which are not protected by the federal government, are protected by the provincial/territorial government(s). It is the applicants responsibility to determine ahead of time which government organization they need to contact in order to apply for the bird research permits.
Migratory Bird Banding Permits
Authorization to band migratory birds and for the use of auxiliary markers (radios, color markers, etc.) is accomplished through a Bird Banding Permit, which is issued by the CWS Bird Banding Office in Hull, Quebec. The appropriate telephone number for obtaining Bird Banding Permit information is 819-997-4213 or 819-997-1121. The e-mail address is BBO_CWS@ec.gc.ca. The fax number is 819-953-6612. Banders with a valid U.S. Banding Permit must be reminded that they need to obtain a Canadian Banding Permit (or sub-permit if their research is done in conjunction with an active Master Banding Permit holder) to band anywhere in Canada. That request should also be made through the Bird Banding Office. Every researcher banding birds in Canada must carry their Bird Banding Permit (or sub-permit) with them in the field. Such permits are invalid unless signed, which insures that banders are aware of the conditions of their particular permit. Failure to comply with the above stated guidelines could result in criminal charges, with penalty ranging from a fine to jail time. To apply for a Bird Banding Permit (or sub-permit) the applicant must send the following to the Bird Banding Office: 1) an application form, 2) a detailed research proposal, and 3) two testimonial letters from other banders who have banded with him /her. In addition, an annual Animal Care Committee review and approval is also required for projects involving the use of auxiliary markers such as radio transmitters, neck collars, patagial tags, nasal disks, and other experimental markers. The animal care approval must be in possession of the bander prior to any banding taking place. Application forms and additional information concerning Bird Banding Permits can be obtained at this website: www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/nwrc/bbo/index.html.
Migratory Bird Research Permits
Many research projects will also require an Environment Canada (CWS) Scientific Research Permit. Such permits are required for any research that will in any way disturb or potentially harm any migratory bird or the nest or egg of a migratory bird. Contrary to U.S. permitting requirements, monitoring bird nests may require a Scientific Research Permit, even though the monitoring only requires occasional inspection of the nest. Parallel to U.S. permitting requirements, collecting birds, their nests or eggs requires a Scientific Research Permit. Scientific Research Permits are issued from Environment Canada Regional Offices, which occur in every province/territory in Canada except Prince Edward Island. Contact addresses and names are listed in Appendix A. In western provinces the population assessment division of Environment Canada handles permit applications. The Wildlife Enforcement Division of Environment Canada, who is responsible for conducting field checks, handles enforcement authority at the federal level. Wildlife Officers will do spot checks on researchers in order to ensure that permit conditions are being adhered to. We suggest discussing your research protocol with someone from Environment Canada to be sure that your permit covers all aspects of the proposed research, with special attention being paid to the techniques of capture and handling of animals.
As with a Banding Permit, the application for a Scientific Research Permit must include the following stand alone components: an application form that outlines the species, a detailed research proposal, Animal Care Committee confirmation and two letters of reference from qualified ornithologists. In addition, research projects will require an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). This document should outline the potential impacts to the environment that may occur - both biological and sociological - as a result of the research. Content of these documents will vary greatly depending on the project, so you should contact the appropriate permitting office and speak with the person who is responsible for reviewing the EIA for advice about the level of detail that is required. The EIA should address impacts to the study species, the habitat (for instance due to the use of ATV’s), and how those potential detrimental impacts will be avoided, minimized or mitigated. The permit holder must remain cognizant of these when in the field.
Unlike in the United States, most Scientific Research Permits require that the scientific protocol for the proposed research be approved by an Animal Care Committee that is operating under guidelines of the Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC). If you are requesting a Scientific Research Permit to simply collect migratory birds, then you may not need Animal Care Committee approval. However, a CCAC Animal Care Committee must approve any research that involves the handling of live birds before a Scientific Research Permit will be issued that authorizes such work. In contrast, the Bird Banding Office issues Banding Permits with the stipulation that the use of such an auxiliary marker is permitted under the condition that an Animal Care Committee approval has been obtained by the bander prior to the beginning of the project. Thus, the process of applying for a Banding Permit can be done concurrently with submission of the research protocol to the appropriate Animal Care Committee. In contrast, your application for Scientific Research Permits can be delayed if you have not cleared the research protocol with a CCAC Animal Care Committee prior to submitting the Permit Application.
Most researchers from U.S. academic institutions will have animal care committee approval from their home institution, but in Canada, for Scientific Research applications, the U.S. approval is not a substitute for CCAC Animal Care Committee approval. It is therefore imperative that you contact a CWS office to determine what CCAC approved committee will review your research protocol. Collaboration with a Canadian researcher housed at a university generally makes it possible to have your research protocol reviewed by that university’s animal care committee. We suggest starting at least four months in advance of proposed research, since most committees meet no more than monthly and your proposal may require two or more committee meetings.
Other Wildlife Permits
The foregoing has dealt specifically with migratory birds. For non-migratory birds and other wildlife you must consult with the specific provincial/territorial authorities where the work is to be carried out.
It is difficult to generalize about provincial/territorial permits. In most provinces/territories, the authority for species other than migratory birds protected by the federal Migratory Birds Convention Act falls under the permitting jurisdiction of the provincial/territorial Natural Resources Department. Having an Environment Canada Scientific Research Permit may not satisfy all permit requirements for research. Contact the appropriate provincial/territorial Department of Natural Resources for more complete information.
The permitting process may take a considerable amount of time, so early planning is essential. Please remember that you will also need to obtain additional permission to be allowed to work in National and Provincial Parks, National Wildlife Area, Migratory Bird Sanctuaries, or Provincial Wildlife Management Areas. At any step in the process you may be requested to provide further information or revise your protocol. Include all the options you may want to explore with your research, because modifying a research protocol during the middle of a field season is not often practical and will require further review and approval from the responsible issuing agency. Researchers are responsible for obtaining any required export permits prior to shipping any wildlife or wildlife parts out of Canada, including blood samples. Researchers should also contact the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service before importing into the U.S. any wildlife or wildlife parts in order to ensure that all U.S. documentation is in place prior to the actual import (http://www.permits.fws.gov). Failure to obtain and abide by the relevant permits for all fieldwork may result in criminal charges.
Appendix A
Atlantic Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
63 East Main Street
P.O. Box 1590
Sackville, New Brunswick
E0A 3C0
Quebec Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
C.P. 10100
Ste. Foy, Quebec
G1V 4H5
General Inquiry Center phone number: (819) 997-2800
Ontario Region
Canadian Wildlife Service
70 Fountain Street
Guelph, Ontario
N1H 3N6
Prairie and Northern Region
For prairie provinces contact:
Dale Caswell
Canadian Wildlife Service
123 Main Street
Suite 150
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3C 4W2
Phone: 204-983-5260
For northern areas:
Kevin McCormick
5294-50th Avenue
Suite 301
Yellowknife, NT
ZX1A 1E2
Phone: 867-669-4760
Pacific and Yukon Region
For the Pacific area:
Canadian Wildlife Service
Pacific Wildlife Research Center
RR 1 5421 Robertson Road
Delta, British Columbia
V4K 3N2
(604) 940-4700
For the Yukon area:
Canadian Wildlife Service
91782 Alaska Highway
Y1A 5B7
(867) 393-6700
Prairie Provincial Contacts
Manitoba
Department of Conservation (of MDNR)
Box 22, 200 Saulteaux Crescent
Winnipeg, Manitoba
R3J 3W3 Canada
1-800-214-6497
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management
http://www.serm.gov.sk.ca
Then contact regional offices for information
Alberta
Alberta Sport, Recreation, Parks, and Wildlife Foundation
905 Standard Life Centre
10405 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta
