Quebec launches wildlife rabies vaccination and youth hunting plan

The Ministry of the Environment, Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks (MELCCFP) will distribute roughly 815,000 oral rabies vaccine baits by hand across 5,500 km² in 111 municipalities of Quebec from 3 August to 13 September. The effort targets raccoons, skunks and foxes, especially juveniles, to immunise them against rabies; an aerial drop will complement the hand‑distribution in September. Since April 2026, more than 246,000 baits have been deployed and over 3,800 animals captured, vaccinated and released.

In parallel, the ministry announced a C$4 million, four‑year “Relève faunique 2026‑2030” strategy to encourage youth participation in hunting, fishing and trapping. The plan aims to sustain an industry that provides about 28,000 jobs, generates C$1.3 billion in wages and contributes roughly C$2.4 billion to Quebec’s GDP. Funding will support regional initiatives, school programmes and collaboration with wildlife federations to ensure a long‑term wildlife‑based economy.