Overview

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

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

This page provides a summary to help municipalities understand their responsibilities under the OWDCP. Read the details in the Ontario Wildlife Damage Compensation Program guidelines.

Municipal responsibilities

  • Select and appoint municipal investigators who are qualified to investigate predation claims.
  • Assign a municipal investigator immediately after an owner reports a livestock or poultry attack.
  • Make current application forms available to all investigators.
  • Ensure the application is complete and collect any missing information or documents before submission.
  • Review and submit completed applications and any additional evidence to OMAFRA.
  • Collect and submit application information or evidence that we request within the prescribed timelines.
  • Pay an owner's approved application once the municipality receives a Municipality Report by email identifying the compensation value the Ministry assigns. Provide a Statement of Farm Support Payments (AGR-1) to owners who receive compensation.
  • Pay and reimburse municipal investigators.

Review a program application

Ensure the municipal investigator and owner completed all steps and relevant sections of the application in enough detail, including:

  • the municipal investigator and owner signed the application
  • they provided required supporting documentation. For example, three to six photos of each animal or evidence to support a premium
  • if an owner has indicated that they wish to provide additional evidence (such as their own photos or evidence to support a premium), and does so within seven business days of the investigation, the evidence should be marked as additional evidence and submitted along with the application
  • complete step 9 and sign the application form

Please collect any missing information from the investigator or livestock owner before you submit the application to us.

Submit a program application

  • Submit application and additional documents in one email.
  • If files are too large to send in one email, the maximum file size is 10 MB per email attachment. Additional emails may be sent if they reference the original submission.

Submit all applications and additional documents to wildlife.damage@ontario.ca.

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