A woman from Winnipeg has been penalized $300 for tossing items at a Canada goose that obstructed her entrance to a friend’s apartment building. The incident, where the woman threw a bottle of leather cleaner and a pylon at the goose to shoo it away, resulted in her pleading guilty under the Migratory Birds Convention Act. During her court appearance, she expressed that she was merely attempting to frighten the bird.
Acknowledging the protected status of the birds under federal law, the woman, now 20 years old, admitted to her actions in court. Legal expert V. Victoria Shroff highlighted the rarity of charges under the act, emphasizing the significance of this case being reported and captured on video. Shroff suggested that such encounters between individuals and wildlife likely occur frequently but often go unnoticed.
The investigation was initiated following a report to an environment officer about the harassment incident involving the nesting goose. The woman, who disclosed her involvement, cited being emotionally distressed due to discovering her pregnancy. Despite the initial fine being set at $730, a lower amount was agreed upon by the judge considering the circumstances.
Federal Crown attorney Joan Schmidt justified the reduced fine, emphasizing the importance of respecting wildlife protection laws and coexisting with geese, despite occasional aggression during nesting periods. Shroff attributed such incidents to human entitlement and insufficient awareness of legal obligations.
Notably, recent reports from Environment and Climate Change Canada highlighted instances of individuals facing fines ranging from a few thousand dollars to over $1 million for violating the Migratory Birds Convention Act. Conservation officers in Manitoba primarily enforce the act concerning hunting violations, with charges varying from unauthorized hunting to possessing live birds.
As per provincial and federal spokespersons, enforcement efforts under the legislation aim to preserve wildlife populations, particularly Canada geese, which have rebounded due to conservation measures. They emphasized the importance of reporting wildlife disturbances to relevant authorities for guidance.