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Wildlife offencesVerified against official source
This range was checked against the official legal text. Last verified: 2026-10-19.
Statutory range
SARA s. 97 — individual / other person — indictable
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
- Fine
- Fine $0–$250,000
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 97(1.1)(a)(iii). Corporate fines: up to $1,000,000 (other corporations) / $250,000 (non-profits).
SARA s. 97 — individual / other person — summary conviction
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 1 year
- Fine
- Fine $0–$50,000
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 97(1.1)(b)(iii). Corporate fines: up to $300,000 (other corporations) / $50,000 (non-profits).
MBCA s. 13 — individual — indictable
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 3 years
- Fine
- Fine $15,000–$1,000,000 (first offence) / $30,000–$2,000,000 (subsequent)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 13(2)(a). Fine or imprisonment or both.
MBCA s. 13 — individual — summary conviction
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months
- Fine
- Fine $5,000–$300,000 (first offence) / $10,000–$600,000 (subsequent)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 13(2)(b). Fine or imprisonment or both.
WAPPRIITA s. 22 — individual — indictable
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 5 years
- Fine
- Fine $15,000–$1,000,000 (first offence) / $30,000–$2,000,000 (subsequent)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 22(2)(a). Fine or imprisonment or both.
WAPPRIITA s. 22 — individual — summary conviction
- Imprisonment
- 0 (no mandatory prison) – 6 months
- Fine
- Fine $5,000–$300,000 (first offence) / $10,000–$600,000 (subsequent)
0 = the law sets no minimum prison term. The court is not required to impose prison. Depending on the offence, jurisdiction, and case, it may instead impose a non-custodial sentence — e.g. a suspended sentence, community order / probation, a fine, or a discharge.
s. 22(2)(b). Fine or imprisonment or both.
SARA second/subsequent conviction: fine may be double (s. 97(3)); fines may be calculated per animal/plant/organism (s. 97(5)); additional fine equal to monetary benefits (s. 97(6)). WAPPRIITA: court may relieve against minimum fine for undue financial hardship (s. 22(5)).