What wildlife protection officers do

The Wildlife Protection Service safeguards wildlife species and biodiversity. It also promotes awareness of best wildlife practices, particularly fir hunting, fishing, and trapping, for the benefit of the community. Its motto is “protect, educate, and prevent.”

Wildlife protection officers are responsible for enforcing the laws and regulations governing wildlife in Québec. The legislation covers the conservation and development of wildlife species and the protection of habitats.

Wildlife officers have the status of peace officers and the power to:

• Inspect
• Investigate
• Arrest
• Search
• Seize

In the course of their work, wildlife protection officers engage in a constant battle against poaching. Here are some examples of what they do:

• They conduct investigations to track down poachers.
• They inspect work sites in fish habitat (in French) to ensure that the habitat is not disturbed or destroyed.
• They conduct searches and seizures during operations to dismantle poaching activities.
• They conduct audits related to conditions under which animals are kept in captivity.
• They monitor the illegal hunting of migratory birds.
• They carry out prevention and protection measures for threatened and vulnerable wildlife species (in French) across Québec.
• They help track diseases such as chronic wasting disease in cervids.
• They provide support when wildlife roam outside their natural environment.
• They help control invasive alien animal species (in French).
• They ensure compliance with the hunting, fishing, and trapping agreements signed by the Government of Québec with Indigenous communities.
• They supervise wildlife protection assistants who work in wildlife reserves, national parks, communal wildlife areas, outfitters operations, and controlled harvesting areas.

Wildlife protection officers use a variety of techniques to conduct their investigations.

Canine squad

The Wildlife Protection Service has had a canine squad since 1995. The canine squad helps:

• Dismantle poaching networks
• Search forests or suspect locations
• Conduct outdoor searches and searches of buildings, vehicles, and boats

The dog handler’s job includes chasing down hidden or fleeing suspects; locating animals, carcasses, and fish; and finding equipment used in poaching.

Dog handlers help save time during search operations. They can also uncover additional clues and gather evidence during an investigation.

Learn about what a dog handler does (in French) at the Wildlife Protection Service.

Expert laboratory

The Biolegal Laboratory provides scientific support for wildlife protection operations. It plays an important and complementary role in the work of wildlife protection officers. It helps:

• Clarify the circumstances surrounding illegal acts
• Find the people responsible
• Provide scientific evidence to support investigations

It conducts a wide variety of lab analyses to help:

• Identify animals from their anatomical parts
• Assess how the parts are connected
• Count specimens
• Determine age
• Discriminate between wild and farmed fish
• Determine how they were captured
• Assess the cause of death

For physical assessments, including ballistics, officers can use the services of Québec’s forensic laboratory, Laboratoire de sciences judiciaires et de médecine légale (in French).

Wildlife protection officers carry out prevention and awareness activities all year long. They help train new hunters and anglers and interact with young people, especially at the Québec-wide fishing festival, Fête de la pêche (in French).

Many of them are involved in their communities. They volunteer their time at fundraising events and may also organize charities to help those in need in their respective regions.

Every year, officers turn over hundreds of kilograms of seized game meat to charities that in turn distribute them to the less fortunate in our communities.

Members of the Wildlife Protection Service participate in activities for the general public. They attend exhibitions and thematic fairs, where they inform the public about new regulations and raise awareness about protecting wildlife and wildlife habitat.

Dissatisfied with a behaviour?

If you are dissatisfied with the behaviour of a wildlife protection officer, you can file an ethics complaint. Wildlife protection officers are subject to the Code of ethics of Québec police officers. Please note that the facts complained of must have occurred in the performance of the duties of the wildlife protection officer concerned. You have one year from the date of the event to file a complaint.

To apply to become a wildlife protection officer:

• Hold a secondary school diploma that is equivalent to grade 11 or secondary 5 and is recognized by the relevant authority, or hold an attestation of studies that is recognized as equivalent by the relevant authority. Each missing year of schooling may be compensated by two years of paid or unpaid work experience, including family caregiving responsibilities.
• Have completed one year of post-secondary studies that provided instruction on Québec’s wildlife species and their habitats; the environment; the forest; hunting, fishing, and trapping techniques; and related regulations. You may be accepted if you do not have this year of education, provided you compensate for it with two years of relevant experience in the profession of a wildlife protection officer. A person may also be admitted as a candidate if they are in the process of completing this year of education.
• Hold a class 4A driver's licence (emergency vehicle). A person holding a Class 5 driver's licence at the time of application may be considered; however, proof of obtaining a class 4A licence must be provided before hiring. Information on obtaining this licence is available on the website of the Société de l'assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ).
• Have a level of French proficiency appropriate for performing the duties.
• Be a Canadian citizen or have permanent resident (PR) status in Canada..

Selection process

If you are eligible, you must first pass an assessment (multiple-choice test). If you pass this step, you will be invited to the selection interview.

Once your application has been accepted, you will then have to pass the physical abilities test.

Physical abilities test (PAT)

The test takes place at the Université de Montréal. To familiarize yourself with the stages of the selection process and access a training program, see the physical abilities test protocol (in French only). You can also watch an video showcasing an example of a physical abilities test to help you prepare.

The test costs about $115. The cost can be reimbursed at the end of your training, usually after your graduation ceremony.

The test takes place at the end of August and during the month of September. If you are selected, you will receive a registration link by email. You cannot reschedule, so choose your date with care.

A preparatory test will be offered in July, at a cost of $65. Further information will be sent out in early July.

Medical exam

If you pass the physical abilities test, you will need to undergo a medical exam to determine whether you are fit to perform the tasks of a wildlife protection officer. It will include visual and auditory tests, as well as screening for drugs and other prohibited substances.

The exam costs about $450. The cost can be reimbursed at the end of your training, after your graduation ceremony.

Once you receive confirmation that you have passed your physical abilities test, you will have four weeks to undergo the exam. You will need to schedule an appointment at a participating medical clinic as quickly as possible.

Security screening

Once you have successfully completed the steps listed above, you will need to meet the employer’s security screening requirements (Police Act, section 115). This includes verifying that you are a person of good moral character and that you have not been convicted of an act or omission defined as an offence under the Criminal Code or the Act respecting the conservation and development of wildlife.

The screening is paid for by the employer.

Driver’s licence for emergency vehicles

You must hold a class 4A licence. Obtaining this type of licence costs about $30. Learn how to obtain the licence on the SAAQ website.

Wildlife protection officer training

Once you have passed the security screening, you will need to complete a paid training program that lasts around 19 weeks. It takes place at the Centre de formation et de perfectionnement de la protection de la faune in Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier near Québec City. Accommodation and meals will be provided during your training. The training course is structured as follows:

• 2 weeks to upgrade skills related to survival and first aid in isolated areas
• Approximately 17 continuous weeks to complete basic training for patrol officers:
  • Driving emergency vehicles
  • Service and support weapons
  • Physical intervention
  • Initiating the investigation process
  • Tactical territorial surveillance
  • Pepper spray
  • Security for small buildings
• Graduation ceremony
• Return to home region to work as a wildlife protection officer in the field