O. Reg. 164/26 amends Ontario Regulation 666/98 under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997, updating rules governing the possession, acquisition, and trade of wildlife and fur products. The amendments improve administrative requirements by strengthening reporting obligations, improving recordkeeping standards, and clarifying compliance expectations for both individuals and licensed fur dealers.

A central change introduces a requirement for individuals who acquire wildlife carcasses or pelts to promptly notify the Ministry through a prescribed notice of possession. This notice must be submitted immediately upon acquisition, and the person must retain confirmation from the Ministry for as long as the item remains in their possession. Failure to provide complete, accurate, or truthful information results in the notice being treated as invalid, meaning it is considered not submitted for compliance purposes. These provisions are designed to strengthen traceability and improve the Ministry’s ability to monitor wildlife acquisition and possession across the province.

The amendments also expand and formalize recordkeeping obligations for fur dealers. Dealers are required to maintain detailed records of transactions involving pelts, including species, quantities, dates, and the identities of buyers and sellers. Records must also include licensing or authorization details related to the source of the pelts, as well as indications where farmed animals are involved. These records must be retained for at least five years after the expiry of a fur dealer’s licence and must be made available to the Ministry upon request. For transactions involving farmed animal pelts, additional documentation such as invoices or bills of lading is required to ensure full traceability.

Further changes address the handling and trade of specific wildlife products, including untreated beaver castoreum. Licensed fur dealers are now permitted to buy and sell untreated castoreum under defined conditions, provided the material has been lawfully obtained. Individuals may purchase carcasses or castoreum for personal use without a licence, though commercial transactions require proper invoicing. In such cases, invoices serve as proof of authorization and must include detailed information such as species, quantities, parties involved, and transaction dates.

Additional amendments update terminology and cross-references throughout the regulation, replacing gendered language and ensuring consistency in legal drafting. They also refine provisions related to possession, transport, and sale of wildlife products to align with the updated notice and recordkeeping framework. Together, the changes strengthen enforcement capability by improving documentation standards, enhancing transparency, and ensuring more reliable tracking of wildlife and fur trade activities. Overall, the regulation reflects a shift toward more structured reporting requirements and modernized compliance systems intended to support effective wildlife management and regulatory oversight in Ontario.

Ontario (164/2026) June 23, 2026
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