Environment & Climate Change Canada

The Department of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) is the Canadian equivalent to both the US Fish & Wildlife Service and the Environmental Protection Agency, and like the US agencies, ECCC is responsible for the protection and conservation of both the environment and wildlife for future generations. As a Law Enforcement Specialist and Operations Manager for ECCC, Martin Thabault’s responsibilities can extend from the Artic, Pacific, and Atlantic Oceans to the longest undefended border in the world.

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Here’s what we discuss:

What is the Wildlife Enforcement branch of Environment & Climate Change Canada?
Martin’s background and path to Ottawa
ECCC Wildlife Enforcement branch currently has nearly 100 officers
Main mandate is illegal wildlife trade and protection of migratory birds
ECCC also acts as a safety net for the protection of endangered species
Officers in remote areas can deal with both environmental and wildlife enforcement
Where’s Nunavut?
A duck baiting case in Quebec
Business was charged multiple times
Illegal logging and the import business
Identifying and sampling European eels; “a bit of a grey and slimy area.”
The value of sharing knowledge and experience
Working in coordination with US officers is beneficial to both agencies
Adapting to new and emerging technologies can be challenging