Decision Date: December 17, 2001

Panel: Alan Andison

Keywords: Wildlife Act – s. 19(1); Permit Regulation – ss. 2(k), 2(p), 5(1), 6(1), 6(3), 6(4); bald eagle; permit for possession; transfer of property

The Appellant appealed the decision of the Respondent refusing to issue him a permit for a dead bald eagle that he found. The Appellant asked that the Respondent’s decision be set aside, and that he be issued a permit to possess the eagle.

The Board found that the Appellant did not qualify for a possession permit under section 2(k) of the Permit Regulation, which allows persons to possess wildlife for ceremonial, societal or educational purposes. The Board agreed with the Respondent that section 6(1)(c)(i) of the Regulation restricts a Regional Manager, subject to subsection 6(3), from issuing a permit under section 2(p) transferring the right of property in eagles. Since the Respondent failed to provide evidence that he was acting as an agent for an educational or scientific institution under section 6(3), he was not entitled to a permit under this section. The Board also found that there were no special circumstances that justified granting a permit under section 6(1)(b) of the Regulation. Lastly, the Board considered the matter under section 5(1) of the Regulation, and concluded that issuing a permit for the eagle would be contrary to the proper management of the province’s wildlife resources.

Accordingly, the appeal was dismissed.