Ontario updates wildlife-in-captivity rules: new annual reporting for falconry licence holders, revised log-book retention, and gender-neutral language throughout

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A set of amendments updates the regulation governing wildlife kept in captivity in Ontario, with changes falling into three main areas. First, holders of general, apprentice, and commercial falconry licences will be required to submit annual reports to the Minister in a prescribed format; general and apprentice licence holders must file by December 31 of the licence year, while commercial licence holders have until January 31 of the following year. Second, log-book retention rules are being clarified: for amphibians and reptiles, the five-year retention period will run from when the log book was required to be kept (rather than from licence expiry), and for specially protected raptors the obligation to keep copies is replaced with an obligation to keep the log book itself for five years from licence or authorization expiry. Third, numerous provisions replace gendered pronouns ('his or her') with gender-neutral language ('their' or 'the Minister's'), and several eligibility references are updated to refer to licences issued 'under the Act' rather than only under this specific regulation. Zoo operators, falconry licence holders, and persons keeping reptiles, amphibians, or raptors in captivity should review their record-keeping and reporting practices ahead of the changes taking effect.

Who this affects: zoo operators · falconry licence holders (general, apprentice, and commercial) · persons keeping reptiles or amphibians in captivity · persons keeping specially protected raptors in captivity · dog train and trial area licensees