Sending a stronger message to people who hunt and kill endangered wildlife in Manitoba is the focus behind a bill introduced in the legislature by Swan River MLA Rick Wowchuk.
The PC Natural Resources Critic says Bill 221 would sharply increase fines for people that illegally poach protected species.
"One of the main reasons is the fines for killing protected species in Manitoba are the lowest in Western Canada. And they must be significantly increased to send messages to people out there who are poaching and show that Manitoba will not tolerate it. The new punishments will definitely be a deterrant and it is quite important that we have these fines."
Wowchuk adds he was inspired to create this bill when he learned a hunter in the Hanover area was only fined $1,100 after he shot and killed an eagle late in 2023.
Under Bill 221, fines for first-time offenders would range from $10,000 to $100,000, while repeat offenders could get fines between $20,000 and $200,000.
They also come with prison sentences of up to one year for first-time offenders and up to 2 years for repeat offenders.
Wowchuk says the bill would bring Manitoba in line with other Western provinces and would make people think twice before killing protected wildlife.
