Alberta Record

· Bill / new regulation-making authority · enacted

Bill 41 — Wildlife Amendment Act, 2025 — New Regulation-Making Authority for Feeding Wildlife

This bill grants the Minister new authority to make regulations respecting the feeding and attracting of wildlife, including the power to establish prohibitions.

Moderate impactCentralization of powerLocal autonomyThe public, directly
Updated

The Wildlife Amendment Act, 2025 is brought into legal effect on May 21, 2025, as ordered by the Lieutenant Governor in Council.

What changed

  • Section 103(1) of the Wildlife Act is amended to add a new clause (z.1), granting regulation-making authority.
  • This authority specifically enables regulations concerning the feeding and attracting of wildlife, including prohibitions.

Why it matters

  • This creates a new provincial-wide standard-setting power that can displace local discretion or bylaws regarding human-wildlife interactions.
  • It enables the province to establish new rules that directly affect citizens' actions on their property or in public spaces concerning wildlife feeding and attraction.

Rights affected

  • Local self-government — The authority of local councils and boards to decide local matters.

Other governance concerns

  • Potential for new provincial prohibitions
  • Impact on local discretion over wildlife management

Primary sources (2)

Secondary sources (2)