Canadian Federal Environmental Officers Association
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES AGENTS FÉDÉRAUX DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT
Canadian Federal Environmental Officers Association
ASSOCIATION CANADIENNE DES AGENTS FÉDÉRAUX DE L'ENVIRONNEMENT
About Us
Federal Environmental Enforcement Officers work for the Environmental Enforcement Directorate of Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Officers are stationed across Canada , working year round to ensure human health and natural resources are safeguarded for future generations.
The CFEOA is comprised of three membership levels that may include federal environmental officers, policy analysts, project developers, charities, nonprofits, and a variety provincial and municipal environmental agencies.
As a Not-for-Profit our goal is to provide a connection within our federal community, foster connections with other agencies, and educate the public on local, national, and international environmental issues.
What We Do
Environmental officers primarily work with two Canadian Acts: the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (CEPA) and the pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act. These Acts empower over 60 different regulations which are constantly being created, amended, or repealed based on environmental protection needs or priorities at the national and international level.
CEPA provides a framework for protecting Canadians and the environment from all forms of pollution over the entire life cycle, from development and manufacture, to transportation, distribution, use, and final disposal.
The pollution prevention provisions of the Fisheries Act protect fish and other aquatic life by regulating deleterious substances that may pose a risk to the aquatic environment. These provisions apply to all Canadian territorial seas and internal waters.
Our History
- 1868 - One of Canada's oldest laws, the Fisheries Act was made for the protection and conservation of fishes and fish habitat.
- 1971 - Environment Canada is created by merging several pre-existing federal environmental departments.
- 1973 - Following the SS Arrow incident, in which millions of litres of fuel oil were released off the coast of Nova Scotia, Environment Canada is mandated to take a lead role in federal responses to environmental emergencies with the creation of the Emergencies Program.
- 1987 - The Federal Water Policy is released, providing a framework for federal actions on freshwater that continues to today.
- 1988 - The Canadian Environmental Protection Act is enacted as law. The objective of this new legislation is to anticipate and prevent toxic contamination that threatens both the environment and human health.
- 1994 - The New Substances Notification Regulations come into force, ensuring no new chemicals, polymers, or organisms are introduced to the Canadian marketplace without ecological and human health assessments.
- 1996 - Environment Canada chooses the loon as the centerpiece of an official emblem for badges and shoulder flashes.
- 1999 - CEPA is updated, providing new tools and powers for pollution reduction and elimination of toxic substances.
- 2005 - The Enforcement Branch is created, combining existing wildlife and pollution prevention enforcement programs.
- 2015 - Environment Canada is renamed to Environment and Climate Change Canada.
- 2022 - Enforcement officers receive new uniforms comprised of green pants and black shirts, as well as an updated heraldic emblem.
Becoming an Officer
Education
Secondary education is an important step in the journey to becoming an officer. Many post secondary institutions offer relevant programs:
- University of Victoria - B.C. - Environmental Studies
- Lethbridge College - Alberta - Conservation Enforcement
- Saskatchewan Polytechnique - Saskatchewan - Resource and Environmental Law
- University of Manitoba - Manitoba - BSc in Environmental Science
- Fleming College - Ontario - Conservation and Environmental Law Enforcement
- Cégep De St-Félicien - Quebec - Techniques du milieu naturel
- Acadia University - Nova Scotia - BSc in Environmental Science
Work Experience
Environmental officers come from a variety of backgrounds. Some examples of previous careers with direct experience are: Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Parks Canada, Canadian Border Services, game wardens, forestry workers, health/liquor/gaming inspectors, and policy analysts. For the prospective candidate whose still in school or looking to increase their experience many provinces have seasonal positions in park enforcement, invasive species prevention, and wildlife control.
Training
Successful candidates will undergo training in legislation, case law, investigation skills, sample collection, the Canadian court system, and defensive control tactics.
This training is a mix of online learning and hands on training in beautiful Ottawa. While attending this training you will be in a cohort of officers from across Canada and create connections that will last during your time with ECCC and beyond.
Upon completion of training you will attend a formal graduation, complete with badge presentation and a certificate, this will be open to family members who wish to attend.
Even more!
Training doesn't stop there! While employed with ECCC there are many more opportunities for advanced learning:
- Advanced interview techniques
- Legislation and policy writing
- Field sampling
- Jet boat operation
- Swift water rescue
- Major case management
- and much more
Where can I go?
After becoming a Senior Enforcement Officer, there are opportunities to develop supervisory skills and join management at district, regional, or even national levels. Furthermore, there are opportunities to move within the branch to gain experience in intelligence and risk analysis, environmental emergency response, compliance promotion, legislation and government policy, just to name a few!
Working with ECCC can be done anywhere. From our offices in the northern stretches of Nunavut, to the inland jungles of British Columbia, breezy Halifax, and busy Ottawa, our officers have opportunities to train and work across Canada.
How to apply
The Canada Jobs website updates regularly with new positons, check regularly or set up an auto alert for any jobs of interest!
Click the maple leaf to be taken to the GC Jobs website.