Recommendation:
Increase the price of the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp to $20. [ECCC]
Similar to the US Federal Duck Stamp, the Canadian Wildlife Habitat Conservation Stamp (“the Stamp”)—which migratory game bird hunters are required to purchase with their federal hunting permit—raises funds for conservation and draws attention to the importance of wildlife and their habitats. Since the inception of the Stamp Program in 1984, stamp and print sales have directly provided over $64 million for wildlife habitat conservation across Canada.
However, the price of the Stamp ($8.50) has not changed since 1991. With CPI-adjustments, an $8.50 Stamp in 1991 would cost almost $16.00 in 2023. Inflation and a decline in the number of waterfowl hunters over this period have significantly impacted the benefits that Stamp funds create for wetlands and wildlife habitat conservation, including migratory game bird habitat.
In the past three years, the Stamp program received 136 conservation project applications, demonstrating the tremendous public support for the program. Unfortunately, due to limited stamp sale revenues, only 84 of the 136 projects were funded. Despite this, the 84 projects leveraged $17.3 million; conserved, enhanced, or restored 146,742 acres of habitat; and involved 350,000 Canadians. Based on current Stamp sales (approximately 164,000 annually), this recommended price increase has the potential to create the following additional benefits over each three-year period: leverage $41 million to deliver nearly 200 conservation projects across Canada; conserve, enhance, or restore 345,000 acres of habitat; and involve 820,000 Canadians.