Nova Scotia Regulation 26/2026 introduces a series of amendments to the General Wildlife Regulations, modernizing definitions, licensing requirements, and electronic licensing procedures. The regulation, made under subsection 113(1) of the Wildlife Act, revises certain structural elements and introduces provisions for electronic forms of licences, permits, cards, and stamps.

The amendment begins by simplifying the structure of subsection 2(1) of the General Wildlife Regulations, removing the clause letters that previously preceded each definition, improving the text for clarity and ease of reference. A new section is added immediately after Section 2 to define terms specific to electronic licences, cards, permits, and stamps. These definitions establish clear meanings for “affix,” “carry,” “produce,” and “signature” in the context of electronic wildlife documentation. “Affix” is defined both in terms of electronically linking a stamp to a licence or permit and physically attaching a tag to wildlife. “Carry” relates to having electronic documents accessible on a functioning device and having tags on one’s person. “Produce” refers to displaying electronic documents or presenting tags for inspection, and “signature” is explicitly extended to include electronic signatures.

Subsection 3C(1) is replaced to specify that a person must hold a Wildlife Resources Card before being issued a variety of licences, permits, or stamps, ensuring compliance with eligibility criteria. The list of affected documents includes base hunting licences, bear hunting and snaring licences, deer hunting licences, dog training and hunting permits, firearm and bow permits, fur buyer and harvester licences, nuisance wildlife operator permits, falconry permits, guide licences, moose hunting licences and stamps, pheasant shooting preserve licences, and small game hunting licences. This amendment ensures that the Wildlife Resources Card becomes a foundational requirement for participating in regulated hunting, trapping, and wildlife management activities in Nova Scotia.

The regulations introduce a comprehensive framework for electronic licensing under the new Section 3D. The Minister is authorized to issue hunting licences, licence cards, hunting permits, and hunting stamps in electronic form, though tags themselves cannot be issued electronically. Hunters using electronic licences must adhere to all physical tagging requirements, and any tag associated with an electronic document must be affixed to it to validate the licence or permit. Wildlife harvested under electronic licences is considered validly tagged only if the corresponding tag is properly affixed. Tags affixed to electronic licences, permits, or stamps are deemed part of the electronic document and legally recognized as such.

Additional amendments adjust permit validity periods, extending the duration of Captive Wildlife Permits, Falconry Permits, and Falconry Breeding Permits to up to three years, with renewal options available upon application. Clause 6(1)(c) is modified to include “Export” alongside “Educational” purposes, broadening the scope of regulated activities under wildlife permits.

Nova Scotia (26/2026) February 4, 2026
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