The Manitoba government has introduced legislation that would formally recognize conservation officers as law enforcement officers with the powers of peace officers.
“Conservation officers have an important role and carry the responsibility of protecting people and the environment,” Conservation Minister Gord Mackintosh said. “As the third-largest armed law enforcement agency in the province, they deserve unique recognition without any ambiguity in law.”
The proposed changes would formally create an entity similar to a police service, including provisions for establishing a complaints process. It would also formally change the designation to conservation officers from natural resource officers.
Conservation officers enforce all resource-based legislation relating to wildlife, forestry, parks, Crown lands and wildfires. They find poachers, issue summonses, conduct investigations and testify in court.
