Overview

The Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program (OWDCP) provides financial assistance to eligible owners whose:

  • bee colonies, beehives or bee-hive related equipment was damaged by eligible wildlife
  • livestock or poultry was killed or injured as a result of eligible wildlife predation (wildlife attack)

This page provides a summary to help Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) bee investigators complete application forms for the OWDCP. Read the details in the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program guidelines.

Application submission process and timeline

The owner (beekeeper) must contact OMAFRA or a bee investigator within two business days of discovering damage to beehives, a bee colony or beehive-related equipment.

The owner must preserve the site and you should encourage them to take colour photos.

You must:

  • Conduct a thorough investigation and take colour photos within three business days of being notified. If you are unable to get to the attack site within three business days, you can tell the beekeeper to collect the necessary site evidence.
  • Complete the program application based on the findings of your investigation.
  • Certify that the documented information is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge.
  • Sign the application.
  • Submit the completed application and all additional evidence to the owner and to OMAFRA.

Any additional evidence that the owner collects must be submitted to the bee investigator within the same seven business days.

Steps to complete the application form

Step 1: beekeeper identification and basic eligibility requirements

Have the beekeeper complete step 1 of the application form.

Step 2: bee investigator information

Fill in your contact information.

Step 3: description of bee colony, hive and equipment damages

Indicate the type of damages you are reporting and fill in the damage or destruction date (date of the incident).

Description of damages or destruction

  • include a complete description of all damages incurred by the bee colony, hive and or equipment
  • describe the location where the incident(s) occurred and provide a description of the incident site
  • attach additional sheet(s) if needed

Photographic evidence

  • provide at least three colour photos per damaged beehive, bee colony or piece of beehive-related equipment
  • photos of the location where the incident occurred are required, include the surrounding area. Provide a broader perspective of the site.
  • if there are applicable photos taken by the owner that support the evidence you have collected, they will serve as additional evidence

Declaration by the bee investigator

  • indicate if sufficient evidence exists to determine that the beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment was damaged due to wildlife

Step 4: data collection

The information reported in the table will be used to calculate the value of the damages incurred. The table must include:

  • quantity of hives damaged
  • total value of hives and equipment damaged
  • quantity of bee colonies damaged
  • total value of bee colonies damaged
  • total value of compensation

Step 5: description of predator

Identify the wildlife species that caused the damage. Consider whether the wildlife species is:

  • known to reside in the area
  • capable of inflicting the observed injuries or damage
  • an eligible wildlife species

Outline any relevant site evidence to support wildlife identification, for example tracks, droppings or type of damages incurred.

Step 6: reasonable care

The following information will be used to assess whether reasonable efforts have been taken to prevent damage to the beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment:

  • number of bee yards managed
  • number of active beehives in this yard
  • the frequency of bee yard inspection by the owner
  • health condition of bee colonies

Assess whether reasonable care was provided by the owner. Consider whether:

  • efforts to mitigate predator damage are proportionate to the extent of predation occurring on the property, and increases in predation prevention measures have been demonstrated over time where it is reasonably required
  • the owner has implemented some predator damage prevention measures, such as fencing or hunting
  • efforts are made to protect the beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment

Step 7: beekeeper declaration and signature

The owner must sign the application which binds them to the terms and conditions of the program.

The owner must also indicate whether or not they wish to provide additional evidence, which may not be currently available. Additional evidence or documentation must be provided within seven business days of the investigation.

Step 8: submitting this program application

Make sure that:

  • all sections of the application are complete
  • all required supporting documents are provided
  • the application has been signed by both you and the owner
  • additional evidence or documentation from the owner will be provided within seven business days (if applicable)
  • you email the completed application to OMAFRA’s Veterinary Service Unit administrative service representative within seven business days of concluding your investigation

Email the application to wildlife.damage@ontario.ca.

The veterinary service unit will verify the beekeeper IDs for all applicants and will submit the application to the OWDCP program administrator.

Step 9: bee investigator declaration and signature

Certify that the information provided in the application is true and accurate to the best of your knowledge and sign the application.

What makes an application ineligible

  • The application is incomplete. For example, the owner has not met the program requirements to document reasonable care.
  • Business number or beekeeper ID is invalid and/or not associated with the applicant.
  • There is insufficient evidence to determine the cause of damage.
  • The predator species is not eligible.
  • The investigator indicated reasonable care measures were not implemented to prevent predation.

Contact us

For more information on the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program contact us at:

Telephone: 1-877-424-1300
Email: wildlife.damage@ontario.ca