University Animal Care Committee (UACC)
The University Animal Care Committee (UACC) is responsible for reviewing and approving all studies that are conducted by Principal Investigators belonging to Queen鈥檚 University, regardless of whether that project will be conducted within Queen鈥檚 jurisdiction or in the jurisdiction of another animal care committee.
According to the Canadian Council on Animal Care (CCAC) Guidelines on the Care and Use of Wildlife (2003), all projects involving the use of wildlife for research, teaching and/or testing should be described within an animal use protocol (AUP). AUPs must be approved by the UACC prior to commencement of the work.
Anyone proposing to conduct research on, study, capture, hold or release wildlife must be familiar with, and comply with, the relevant legislation. In most cases, licenses or permits are required to import or export wildlife or parts thereof, to capture or kill wildlife, to band or otherwise mark wildlife, and to hold in captivity or release wildlife. It is imperative that investigators consult with the appropriate provincial, territorial or regional agency when planning a project involving wildlife. It is the investigator鈥檚 responsibility to ensure that all licenses, permits and approvals are in place before proceeding with any wildlife project. Investigators should contact the appropriate authority for the most up-to-date permit requirements, as regulations may change over time. Investigators must ensure their use of live animals is in accordance with permit terms, conditions and guidelines.
The UACC requires that all wildlife investigators submitting an AUP reference the relevant licenses or permits within the wildlife section of their protocol. In some cases, approval of a license or permit depends on the UACC approval of the AUP. In these circumstances, PIs can amend their protocols with the permit information as it becomes available or provide the UACC Coordinator with this information for administrative assistance with updating (uacc@queensu.ca).
Regulatory & Relevant Legislation in Canada
Federal
promotes the conservation of Canadian and international wildlife and biological diversity by managing migratory birds and nationally significant habitat, and by providing leadership on other issues, such as recovery of endangered species. The ECCC oversees the following Acts and Regulations:
- Canada Wildlife Act
- Wildlife Area Regulations
- Migratory Birds Convention Act
- Migratory Birds Regulations
- Migratory Bird Sanctuary Regulations
- Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Inter-provincial Trade Act (WAPPRIITA)
- Wild Animal and Plant Trade Regulations
- Species at Risk Act
bears responsibility for marine reptiles and mammals. The Marine Mammal Regulations http://lawslois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR9356/index.html are listed under the Fisheries Act .
The Canada National Parks Act provides for regulations for the protection of fauna, the taking of specimens of fauna for scientific or propagation purposes, and the destruction or removal of dangerous or superabundant fauna. WAPPRIITA is the enabling legislation for CITES in Canada. WAPPRIITA also provides the authority to protect Canadian ecosystems from the introduction of listed harmful invasive species by requiring permits and makes it an offence to transport an animal or plant from one province or territory to another or export from a province or territory without the required provincial or territorial permits.
The Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC) develops and maintains a national listing of Canadian species at risk, based on the best scientific evidence available. COSEWIC consists of representatives from the wildlife departments of all 13 Canadian provincial and territorial governments; federal departments and corporations concerned with wildlife, including the Canadian Wildlife Service (which provides the secretariat), Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada and the Canadian Museum of Nature; and three non-governmental conservation organizations. It is the responsibility of the respective provincial and territorial jurisdictions where the species occurs to take whatever actions are appropriate to address the threats and limiting factors placing a species at risk.
Many birds migrate across international borders, and hence their research use and consequent influence on survival may be of interest to several countries. The ECCC regulates the hunting of migratory birds and also requires that special permits be obtained for the collection, banding and/or holding of these birds. In addition, permits are required to carry out activities such as wildlife research in National Wildlife Areas and Migratory Bird Sanctuaries.
Permits from the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) are required for the movement of cervids within Canada under the in order to prevent the spread of brucellosis, tuberculosis or chronic wasting disease. If the presence of these diseases, rabies, anthrax or foreign animal diseases are suspected in wildlife, CFIA should be contacted. Additionally, the Public Health Agency of Canada should be contacted if wildlife diseases transmissible to humans are suspected.
Provincial/Territorial
All provinces and territories in Canada have legislation governing activities involving wildlife. Therefore, it is imperative that investigators consult with the appropriate provincial or territorial agency when planning a project involving wildlife. Licenses or permits are required for the killing, capture, holding, marking, transport, trade, and sometimes release of most wildlife. This includes wildlife held for research and teaching. Provincial regulations also exist for the types of traps permitted and for the use of firearms or other weapons in specific areas. Additionally, permits are required for the movement of wildlife, or parts thereof, across borders, and such movement may necessitate obtaining permits in more than one province or territory.
Provinces and territories may have endangered species legislation and listings and associated permit requirements. Such legislation and listings may also be applied responsibility lies with another agency (e.g., migratory birds, and marine reptiles or mammals). Most terrestrial species (mammals, amphibians and reptiles) and several species of birds (raptors, corvids and resident non-migratory species) fall solely within provincial/territorial jurisdiction.
Permits may also be needed to conduct wildlife research in provincial/territorial wildlife areas, refuges, game sanctuaries, ecological reserves, wilderness areas, parks, or other specially designated lands. Additionally, permits may also be required for active habitat manipulation or other activities on any provincial/territorial land holding.
Alberta
- Ministry of Environment and Protected Areas
- Wildlife Act
British Columbia
- Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations - Fish and Wildlife Branch
- Wildlife Act
Manitoba
- Department of Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources - Fish and Wildlife Branch
- Wildlife Act
- Endangered Species and Ecosystems Act
- The Polar Bear Protection Act
New Brunswick
- Department of Natural Resources and Energy Development
- Fish and Wildlife Act
- Species at Risk Act
Newfoundland and Labrador
- Department of Fisheries, Forestry and Agriculture
- Wildlife Regulations
- Endangered Species Act
- Wilderness and Ecological Reserves Act
Northwest Territories
- Department of Environment and Climate Change
- Wildlife Act
- Species at Risk (NWT) Act
Nova Scotia
- Department of Natural Resources and Renewables - Wildlife and Biodiversity Division
- Wildlife Act
- Endangered Species Act
- Conservation Easement Act
Nunavut
- Department of Environment - Wildlife Deterrence Program
- Department of Environment - Wildlife Management
- Wildlife Act
Ontario
- Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry - Wildlife and Nature
- Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
- Endangered Species Act
Prince Edward Island
- Department of Environment, Energy and Climate Action
- Wildlife Conservation Act
蚕耻茅产别肠
- Ministry of Forests, Wildlife and Parks
- Ministry of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks
- Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife
- Regulation respecting threatened or vulnerable wildlife species and their habitats
- Act respecting hunting and fishing rights in the James Bay and New 蚕耻茅产别肠 territories
- Parks Act
- Ecological Reserves Act
- Forest Act
Saskatchewan
- Ministry of Environment
- Wildlife Act
- Wildlife Habitat Protection Act
Yukon
- Department of Environment
- Wildlife Act
| Date | New Version |
|---|---|
| 11/19/2014 | Policy Created and Approved |
| 12/21/2017 | Triennial Review; Revised to clarify that permits/licenses must be referenced in protocol(but not necessarily attached |
| 12/16/2020 | Triennial Review; Revised to clarify that licenses or permits are required to import/export, capture or kill, band or otherwise mark and hold in captivity/release wildlife; Investigators responsible for contacting appropriate authority to ensure up to date requirements; Canadian regulatory and legislative resources updated |
| 12/13/2023 | Triennial Review; Revised all Canadian regulatory and legislative resource hyperlinks; New Format |