Assessment of Canadian federal and provincial legislation to conserve native and managed pollinators

Abstract

Declining pollinator numbers in Canada is an issue of concern requiring active conservation of native, wild, and managed species. Federal and provincial legislation was examined to determine whether Canada has the capacity to manage native pollinators. Hard legislation was chosen based on its potential to contain provisions for pollinator protection. The wording, specific statements within each act, and the context in which they are used, were examined. The legislation was categorized into one of three classes: a) has explicit provisions for pollinator conservation, b) is related to, but no explicit provisions are present, c) has nothing to do with pollinator conservation. Results showed that Canada has inadequate legislative provisions for native pollinator conservation at the federal and provincial level. There are few specific provisions dealing directly with native pollinators, but some legislation alludes to it. Existing legislation pertains to the protection of managed pollinators, especially the western honeybee (Apis mellifera). Therefore, such provincial acts could be amended to include all native bees and other pollinator species to ensure that their ecological and agricultural services continue. The federal National Parks Act and the Species at Risk Act (and their provincial counterparts) could be amended similarly. Effective pollinator conservation requires management, research, education and monitoring, but the enabling legislative provisions should be created for this to happen.