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STRONGER PENALTIES UNDER THE WILDFLIFE ACT

Released on April 23, 1998

Poachers and wildlife traffickers face much stronger penalties under

amendments to The Wildlife Act tabled by Environment and Resource

Management Minister Lorne Scott today.



"The people of Saskatchewan cherish our rich wildlife resources and

the government has the responsibility to conserve and protect this

valuable resource for current and future generations," Scott said.

"In particular the new penalty provisions of the Act will serve as a

deterrent to poachers and others who may be tempted by the money

available in the black market wildlife trade which is having a serious

impact on some wildlife species."



This amendment would provide for maximum penalties of $100,000 for

contravention of any section of the Act and provide the option for the

court to order forfeiture of vehicles in any situation, where, because

of the seriousness of the violation, it was deemed appropriate.



The penalty provisions of The Wildlife Act, 1997 and those of its

predecessor were last amended in 1986. Currently, The Wildlife Act

sets fines for general offence provisions at a maximum of $1,000; for

wildlife trafficking at a maximum of $25,000; and allows the court to

forfeit seized vehicles only upon conviction for wildlife trafficking

or for the hunting or trafficking of endangered species. It is

expected the possible forfeiture of vehicles will prove to be a strong

deterrent to illegal activities.



These amendments propose to establish a set of fines and

forfeiture provisions that are in line with other current

provincial resource legislation e.g. The Fisheries Act

(Saskatchewan) and closer to fine structures in other provincial

jurisdictions.



These proposed amendments are also consistent with the Serious

Crime Task Force, announced by Justice Minister John Nilson in

late March. All property or cash acquired through organized

criminal activity will be seized.



"Our wildlife resources are one of the greatest natural assets of

this province and we need to work together to ensure that they

are managed in a sustainable fashion," Scott said.



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For more information, contact:



Dennis Sherratt

Director, Fish and Wildlife Branch

Saskatchewan Environment and Resource Management

Regina

Phone:(306) 787-2309

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