Trade in protected species: roles and responsibilities in Canada

Within Canada, the implementation and administration of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) are shared among federal and provincial/territorial agencies to make the best use of existing organizational structures.

Environment Canada is responsible for managing CITES species in Canada vis à vis the international community.

Environment Canada's Canadian Wildlife Service (CWS) provides:

• The Management Authority;
• The Scientific Authority.

Environment Canada's Wildlife Enforcement Directorate is responsible for enforcement of the Federal law that implements CITES in Canada, namely the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

Other federal departments also play a role in the implementation of the Convention:

• Fisheries and Oceans
• Canadian Forest Service
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency
• Canada Border Services Agency
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

Furthermore, each province and territory is responsible for managing its own wildlife. Some of the provinces and territories also administer CITES permitting operations as well as the scientific evaluation for CITES.