Federal regulationCanada Gazette, Part IComment Period Closed
GI-2026-12-reg3: Regulations Amending the Wildlife Area Regulations and the Environmental Violations Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations
Sponsoring body: Environment, Dept. of theIntroduced March 21, 2026Checked September 3, 2026
Read the official text on gazette.gc.caOfficial version — Canada Gazette, Part I
What this regulation does
This regulation designates 56.3 hectares of six Nova Scotia islands (Big Fish Island, Green Island, Guyon Island, Hog Island, Three Top Island, and Whitehead Island) as the Atlantic Archipelago National Wildlife Area, prohibiting entry and a broad range of activities without a permit to protect migratory birds, species at risk, and their habitats.
Plain-language summary by Legisail — not legal advice.
Business impact
Compliance
The government explicitly confirms there are no known economic activities currently taking place within the boundaries of the proposed NWA, and no small businesses are expected to operate there. As a result, the regulation imposes no compliance costs, administrative burden, or operational changes on any Canadian business. Researchers who previously needed a DFO licence agreement to access the islands will now need an NWA permit instead, but the government considers this an equivalent process with no incremental cost. The one-for-one rule does not apply because there is no business impact whatsoever.
Does this apply to you?
Your own business or clients you watch for — tell Legisail what matters and it checks every bill and regulation against it.
Where this regulation is
Proposed
Comment period closed
Final publicationPending
Legisail watches this for you
Tell Legisail about your business and it checks every new bill and regulation against it — you only hear about the ones that matter.
Create a free accountFree · 30 seconds · No credit cardAt a glance
- Gazette reference
- GI-2026-12-reg3
- Comment deadline
- April 20, 2026
- Jurisdiction
- Federal