DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE/Ministère de la Défense nationale, (CFB/BFC Suffield) - conviction information for 2025-07-09

Corporation details
Corporation name: DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE/Ministère de la Défense nationale, (CFB/BFC Suffield)
Address: P.O. Box 6000, Station Main
City: Medicine Hat
Province/territory: Alberta
Postal code: T1A 8K8
Country: Canada
Sector or industry: 911 - Federal government public administration
Case details
Location of offense: Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield, Ralston, Alberta
Case summary:

Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield is located in southeastern Alberta, approximately 50 kilometers west of Medicine Hat. CFB Suffield is the site of military training, and its operation is under the control of the Department of National Defence.

On April 25, 2024, the Base Environmental Officer at CFB Suffield notified the Wildlife Enforcement Directorate (WED) of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) that an active Ferruginous Hawk (Buteo regalis) nest platform had been destroyed at a location on the base. It was also reported that three (3) eggs were found on the ground and that fresh tracks from an unidentified heavy equipment vehicle were observed leading to the fallen platform.

In response to this self-report, Wildlife Officers initiated an investigation. An analysis of evidence collected during the investigation led to the conclusion that Range Maintenance, a unit of CFB Suffield, had knocked down the platform containing the active nest using heavy equipment during a fence maintenance and removal project. Investigators also concluded that Range Maintenance did not follow internal guidelines regarding species at risk and therefore failed to exercise due diligence when completing their work along the fence line. As a result, the nest was destroyed, and three (3) Ferruginous Hawk eggs (individuals) were killed.

Based on these findings, the Department of National Defence (CFB Suffield) was formally charged with contravening the provisions of the Species at Risk Act (SARA).
Charges:

Count 1

On or about April 24, 2024, at or near Ralston, in the Province of Alberta, did kill or harm an individual of a wildlife species, to wit: Ferruginous Hawk, that is listed as a threatened species, contrary to Section 32(1) of the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2000, c.29, and did thereby commit an offence contrary to paragraph 97(1)(a) of said Act.

Count 2

On or about April 24, 2024, at or near Ralston, in the Province of Alberta, did destroy the residence of one individual of a wildlife species, to wit: Ferruginous Hawk, that is listed as a threatened species, contrary to Section 33 of the Species at Risk Act, S.C. 2002, c. 29, and did thereby commit an offence contrary to paragraph 97(1)(a) of said Act.
Enforcement notification: Department of National Defence fined $10,000 for Species at Risk Act violations in Alberta
Conviction
Result: Guilty Plea
Date of conviction: 2025-07-09
Court level: Provincial and Territorial Court
Nature of offense(s):
  • Other,
  • None of the above
Additional details about the nature of the offense:

32 (1) No person shall kill, harm, harass, capture or take an individual of a wildlife species that is listed as an extirpated species, an endangered species or a threatened species.

33 No person shall damage or destroy the residence of one or more individuals of a wildlife species that is listed as an endangered species or a threatened species, or that is listed as an extirpated species if a recovery strategy has recommended the reintroduction of the species into the wild in Canada.
Legislative details
Act Regulations Section(s)
Species at Risk Act 32(1), 33, 97(1)(a)
Sentencing
Date of sentencing: 2025-07-09
Location of sentencing: Calgary, Alberta
Sentence(s):
  • Fine,
  • Penalty for the EDF
Amount of fine(s): $10,000
Sentencing details:

On 9 July 2025, before the Court of Justice in Calgary, Alberta, the Minister of National Defence pleaded guilty to one count of killing an individual of a threatened wildlife species and one count of destroying the residence of a threatened wildlife species, contrary to sections 32(1) and 33 of SARA. The court imposed a fine of $10,000, allocated as follows:

- $500 payable as a standard fine under section 97(1.1) of SARA; and

- $9,500 payable under section 105(k) of SARA to the Government of Canada Environmental Damages Fund for the protection of endangered species in Canada, with priority given to threatened and endangered species in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan.
Report a problem on this page
Date modified: