Been doing the job for 20 years. Here in NS we currently carry Sig P226 9mm pistols. We were originally armed with .38 SW revolvers in 1989 and followed suit in modernizing after the police made the switch to semi-auto pistols. We still lag behind in this way. Game Wardens or Conservations Officers in most provinces take an oath of office which gives them all powers and immunities of peace officers under the Criminal Code of Canada, but more specifically, the various powers and authorities granted under the legislation they enforce. Department policy also dictates what is enforced. We do much more than fish and game. Park enforcement, which is pretty much policing, Forestry Regulations, Crown Lands, Forest Fire Protection, Wilderness areas, and Off Highway Vehicles, etc. Add in our cross-appointments such as Federal Fisheries and Migratory birds. In all about 90 different pieces of legislation…. Okay, back to guns. In addition to the P226, we are only now being issued 12 ga. pump shotguns! We’ve asked for taser and patrol carbines, but the bureaucrats aren’t ready to go down that road. There is much reluctance to do so in many provinces and there is a real lack of recognition that we are LEO’s. Times are changing and many provinces are integrating our duties with police. The change is slow, but we think this will be the future. In recent times, we’ve been tasked with such things like border detail during Covid and assisted emergency management during the aftermath of hurricane Fiona. So more police-like roles than the usual fur and feathers lol.
