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 beekeepers through the process of making a claim under the OWDCP. Read the details in the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program guidelines.

Eligibility

To apply for the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program you must have:

  • a Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number or Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • a Beekeeper ID number registered under the Bees Act

Steps to take after you find damaged bee colonies, beehives or beehive-related equipment

Step 1: notify us

Notify us within two business days of discovering damage to a beehive, bee colony or beehive-related equipment. You can:

Step 2: preserve the damage site

Preserve the damage site until a bee investigator has seen the damages and agrees that it can be moved, destroyed or disposed. Take at least three detailed photos of the scene.

To preserve the site:

  • avoid walking in or around the area
  • place a tarp over the damages

Step 3: prepare for the bee investigator

Have the following ready for the bee investigator:

  • a valid Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) business number or Social Insurance Number (SIN)
  • a valid Beekeeper ID registered under the Bees Act
  • a valid Premises Identification (PID) number for the property where the damage occurred
  • photos of the damage

Step 4: complete and sign the application form

When the bee investigator arrives:

  • provide as much relevant information as possible
  • complete the first page of the application form

After the bee investigator has collected and documented the evidence:

  • sign the application form to attest the evidence provided is correct
  • make sure to indicate if you are submitting additional evidence by checking the box on last page of the application form

You must submit any additional evidence you collect to the bee investigator within seven business days from the on-site investigation.

What to expect from the bee investigator

The bee investigator will visit your premises to perform a detailed investigation within three business days after you contact OMAFRA or a bee investigator.

If the bee investigator is unable to get to the attack site within three business days, they may tell you to take photographs of the damage. You must provide these photographs to the bee investigator within three business days.

The bee investigator will collect information required to assess your application for eligibility, including your Beekeeper ID and PID number.

The bee investigator will focus on collecting evidence to determine:

  • the likelihood that the damages were caused by an eligible predator
  • presence of the damaged bee colonies, beehives and/or beehive related equipment
  • signs of an eligible predator being present at the time of the attack
  • whether you have taken reasonable care measures

What happens after you submit your application

OMAFRA will assess the application for:

  • completeness
  • eligibility
  • evidence of predation (wildlife attack)
  • reasonable care

OMAFRA will send you a decision letter by email which will indicate:

  • the result of your application assessment
  • the value assigned to your application (if applicable)

You will have 20 business days to appeal the decision. If you do not request an appeal of the decision letter, we will transfer you the assigned funds by electronic funds transfer or cheque.

Reasonable care

You should use the recommended predation prevention practices outlined in ministry and industry resources. Some recommended practices include:

  • supervision
  • repellents
  • fencing
  • moving bee colonies and beehives to less vulnerable areas

Refer to the reasonable care section of the program guidelines for further details.

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