Greg Giofu

A: An officer’s authority to enter private land depends on what their purpose is for entering. While most legislation gives officers the power to enter private land for the purpose of carrying out their duties, some does not. If we are talking about hunting and fishing situations, the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, Fisheries Act and Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994 all allow a conservation officer acting under the related act to enter private land. There is no restriction on where the officer can enter the land, so an officer could use any laneway or could enter                                                  through the bush.

ANSWER BY: David Critchlow, Provincial Enforcement Specialist, MNR