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Manitoba Government Introduces New Legislation that would Clarify, Strengthen Role of Conservation Officers

The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would formally recognize conservation officers as law enforcement officers with the powers of peace officers, Conservation and Water Stewardship Minister Gord Mackintosh announced today.

“Conservation officers have an important role and carry the responsibility of protecting people and the environment,” Minister Mackintosh said.  “As the third-largest armed law enforcement agency in the province, they deserve unique recognition without any ambiguity in law.”

The proposed conservation officers act would formally create an entity similar to a police service including provisions for establishing a complaints process.  It would also formally change the designation to conservation officers from natural resource officers.  Conservation officers enforce all resource-based legislation relating to wildlife, forestry, parks, Crown lands and wildfires.  They find poachers, issue summonses, conduct investigations and testify in court.

Manitoba has had resource officers since the 1940s but the group has not had formal legislation to confirm their authorities, function and mandate.  The new act would also ensure the training and qualifications would meet legislated standards and there would be a complaints process in the regulations. 

Notably, the bill would provide certainty that officers would have enforcement authority to deal with issues that may arise in the course of carrying out their conservation duties including matters of a criminal nature, Minister Mackintosh said.

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