Regulations Summary

Regulations Summary
Regulations Summary PDF 432 Ko

There is plenty to experience in national parks and historic sites in Canada’s Western Arctic. You can hike, paddle, camp, view wildlife, experience cultural sites, take photographs and generally immerse yourself in some of the most spectacular landscapes in the world. However, there are regulations that apply to all visitors in order to ensure that the parks and sites remain unchanged for future generations. It is your responsibility to be aware of the regulations and ensure that you follow them, but we are here to help. If you have any questions after reading this brochure, please contact Parks Canada in Inuvik or visit www.pc.gc.ca/acts.

Park wardens are federal law enforcement officers who are responsible for the protection of national parks and historic sites, and the preservation and maintenance of public peace in these spaces. Park wardens enforce the Canada National Parks Act, the Criminal Code, Species at Risk Act, Migratory Birds Convention Act and territorial laws, such as liquor and wildlife acts.

Offences in national parks and historic sites can result in large fines and even prison sentences.

We need your help: Please report any unlawful activity such as fishing offences, poaching, wildlife harassment, littering, removal of artifacts, damage to vegetation, and illegal aircraft landings. If you see something suspicious, you should not confront anyone or investigate further.

Contact Park Wardens immediately.

Report all violations to the 24-HR NATIONAL PARKS DISPATCH
1-877-852-3100 (Toll Free);
1-780-852-3100 (From a Satellite Phone)

You can also report suspicious and illegal activities using email. Send your observations (including photos) to wardens.north@pc.gc.ca. For urgent matters, please use our 24/7 dispatch line.

Permitting

Permits are required for the following activities and are available at the Parks Canada office in Inuvik:

• Caching of food or fuel
• Military exercises
• Special events
• Commercial filming and photography
• Aircraft landings and take-offs
• All business activities
• All research and collection activities
• Open fires in Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site
• All single-day and overnight trips in Aulavik, Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait National Parks
• Camping
• Fishing in Aulavik, Ivvavik and Tuktut Nogait National Parks

RECORD AND REPORT ALL VIOLATIONS

• Date
• Time
• Location
  (Name of park or site, description, GPS coordinates)
• Vehicle information
  (Description and identifying numbers from any vehicle, boat, ATV, snowmobile, aircraft, etc.)
• People involved
  (Number of people, approximate ages, physical descriptions, clothing, what equipment they had with them, etc.)
• What happened
  (Describe the event and what you observed)
• Photos
• Your name and contact information
  (In the event that Wardens need clarification or more information)

Your information and participation contributes to the protection of these special places for all visitors. Your report will remain anonymous.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT…

Some of these regulations do not apply to individuals who are exercising harvesting rights under applicable land claim agreements. For example, Inuvialuit beneficiaries may carry out subsistence harvesting in Aulavik, Tuktut Nogait, and Ivvavik National Parks, as well as in the Pingo Canadian Landmark, consistent with the Inuvialuit Final Agreement.

Registration and De-registration

For any day or overnight trips in Aulavik, Tuktut Nogait, and Ivvavik National Parks, you must register prior to entering the park and de-register upon your return. Registration and de-registration can be done at any Parks Canada visitor center or office in the Western Arctic, or by calling 1-867-777-8800 or 1-867-678-0705.

Camping

All camping in national parks and historic sites requires a backcountry camping permit (except the Pingo Canadian Landmark where camping is currently not permitted). The permit holder is responsible for ensuring that bear and wildlife attractants are properly managed.

Trapping, Hunting, and Firearms

Trapping, hunting and the possession of firearms is prohibited in national parks and historic sites (including the Pingo Canadian Landmark). Firearms may be transported through a national park or national historic site to another destination in a vehicle, vessel, or aircraft, but they must be unloaded, securely encased, and remain so for the duration of your time in the park or site. Firearms include slingshots, bows, BB guns, crossbows and paintball guns. Poaching in national parks and historic sites carries serious penalties.

Mining

Panning for gold, mining, and mineral exploration is prohibited. It is illegal to remove, deface, damage or destroy rocks, minerals, and other natural objects in national parks and historic sites.

Fishing

Fishing is permitted in Aulavik, Tuktut Nogait, and Ivvavik National Parks with a valid National Park Fishing License. Anglers are required to follow the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations and all Superintendent Orders that pertain to those parks. This information is available online and is summarized in the Western Arctic Fishing Regulations Summary that is provided when you purchase your license at the park visitor centre. Yukon and NWT fishing licenses are not valid in national parks. Fishing is not permitted in Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site or the Pingo Canadian Landmark. A NWT fishing license is required for fishing on Great Bear Lake.

Fires

Fires pose a serious threat to national parks and historic sites in the Western Arctic. Open fires are prohibited in all three national parks (Aulavik, Tuktut Nogait and Ivvavik), except on Nunaluk Spit in Ivvavik where fires are permitted. Open fires are also prohibited in the Pingo Canadian Landmark. Open fires are allowed in Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site, but a permit is required for any fires above the high water mark.

Off-road Vehicles

The use of ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes, or other off-road vehicles for recreational purposes is prohibited in national parks. They are also prohibited in the Pingo Canadian Landmark, with the exception of snowmobiles which are permitted from November 1st to April 14th each year within the boundaries of the Landmark, but not on the pingos themselves (from the base to the summit). Off-road vehicles are allowed in Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site, provided no damage is caused to vegetation.

Aircraft

All aircraft landings in national parks require a landing permit, including helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. Saoyú-Ɂehdacho National Historic Site and the Pingo Canadian Landmark do not allow aircraft landings other than for park management purposes. It is illegal to harass or otherwise disturb wildlife or visitors by flying too close to them. Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs/drones) are prohibited for recreational use anywhere in national parks and historic sites. Parachuting, skydiving, and BASE jumping are also prohibited. Please refer to the Flying in and Around National Parks and Historic Sites in Canada’s Western Arctic brochure for additional information.

Wildlife

It is illegal to entice, pursue, pet (or attempt to pet), harass, or feed wild animals in Canada’s national parks and historic sites. This includes disturbing or destroying a nest, lair or den. Furthermore, all food, garbage, and other attractants must be secured so that they are not accessible to bears and other wildlife. Animal behaviour is unpredictable and could result in injury if they are not given enough space.

Natural Objects

It is illegal to remove, deface, damage or destroy wood, plants, animals, animal parts (including antlers and horns), fossils, rocks, and other natural objects. Please leave these in place for others to enjoy. If you believe you have found something significant, record the location (GPS), take a picture, and report your finding to the nearest Parks Canada office.

Dogs

All dogs and other domestic animals must be kept on a leash at all times. Allowing your pet to chase wildlife in a national park or historic site is an offence.

Garbage

All garbage must be packed out. Burning or burying garbage is not acceptable. Please also take care to dispose of human waste as instructed during your pre-trip orientation and practice Leave-no-Trace camping.

Cultural and Archeological Resources

It is illegal to remove, deface, damage or destroy any prehistoric or historic artifacts or cultural structures in national parks and historic sites.

Area Closures and Restrictions

Area closures and restrictions are sometimes required to protect park resources and visitors. These will be posted at Parks Canada offices, visitor centres, and online at parkscanada.gc.ca.

Boating

The use of motorboats in Tuktut Nogait National Park is prohibited, and is only allowed in the marine portions of Ivvavik and Aulavik National Parks (those northern sections of these Parks that are also part of the Beaufort Sea). Use of motorboats to access the Pingo Canadian Landmark is permitted. All boats (including rafts, kayaks, canoes, and motorboats) must carry the appropriate safety equipment and have a life vest on board for each occupant.