Report a Conservation Officer Complaint in Ontario:

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Last Updated: September 21 2026

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Question:How do I file a complaint about a Conservation Officer in Ontario?

Answer:You can file a Conservation Officer complaint or compliment in Ontario by phone at 1-(855) 497-7445, by email to howarewedoing@ontario.ca, or by submitting Ontario’s online complaint and compliment form; include the contact date, time, location, what happened, any officer name you know, the action you want taken, and whether you previously reported the matter, and you can check the “response requested” option for a reply within 15 working days.  If you want help organizing dates, details, and an accurate statement before you submit, Paralegal services from DefendCharges.ca™ can help you protect your interests and avoid common mistakes, call (647) 559-3377 for guidance in Ontario.

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Report a Conservation Officer Complaint

Ontario provides an official process for submitting a complaint or compliment about a Conservation Officer.  Feedback can be provided to the Ministry of Natural Resources by telephone, email, or through Ontario's online complaint and compliment form.

Note: Please contact DefendCharges.ca™ by phone at: (647) 559-3377 to discuss any specific questions that you may have.

The process is intended to receive feedback about a Conservation Officer's on duty conduct.  Ontario states that Conservation Officers are expected to treat members of the public with respect and courtesy and to perform their duties in a manner that promotes respect for the law, public confidence in their fairness and objectivity, and timely and consistent performance of their duties.

This resource explains how to make a complaint or compliment about an Ontario Conservation Officer, what information Ontario asks people to provide, what to expect if a response is requested, how personal information submitted through the process is used, and where to access the official Ontario government form.

How Do You Make a Complaint About a Conservation Officer?

Ontario provides three ways to make a complaint or provide a compliment about a Conservation Officer.

• By telephone;
• By email; or
• Through Ontario's online complaint and compliment form.

The appropriate method can be chosen based on how the person prefers to provide the information.

Make a complaint or compliment about a Conservation Officer on Ontario.ca.

What Is the Conservation Officer Complaint Telephone Number?

Complaints and compliments can be provided to the Ministry of Natural Resources by telephone.

The toll free Ontario number is:

1-(855) 497-7445

This number is specifically identified by Ontario as a method of providing feedback about Conservation Officers.

Can You Make a Complaint by Email?

Yes.  Ontario accepts Conservation Officer complaints and compliments by email.

The official email address is:

howarewedoing@ontario.ca

If a response is requested, Ontario states that it will confirm receipt of the message by telephone or email and respond within 15 working days.

Can You Submit a Complaint Online?

Yes.  Ontario provides an online form specifically for complaints and compliments concerning Conservation Officers.

Open Ontario's Conservation Officer complaint and compliment form.

The form allows information about the Conservation Officer contact and the feedback to be submitted directly to the Ministry.

What Information Should You Include in a Complaint?

Ontario asks people to provide as much detail as possible about their contact with the Conservation Officer.

The government specifically asks for information including:

• What you want to tell the Ministry about;
• The date of the contact;
• The time of the contact;
• The location of the contact;
• The name of the Conservation Officer or officers involved, if known;
• The action you would like to see taken; and
• Whether you have contacted the Ministry about the matter before.

If there was previous contact about the issue, Ontario asks for details about that contact, including the name of the person you dealt with where known.

Do You Need to Know the Conservation Officer's Name?

No.  Ontario asks for the Conservation Officer's name if it is known.

If the officer's name is not known, other information such as the date, time, location, reason for the interaction, vehicle or office involved, and details about what occurred can help identify the contact being described.

The official form should be completed as accurately as possible using the information available.

What Does the Online Form Ask For?

Ontario's online form asks for contact information and a description of the feedback.

The form includes fields for information such as:

• Title;
• Full name;
• Mailing address;
• Telephone number;
• Email address;
• The message or description of the complaint or compliment; and
• Whether a response is requested.

The form should be reviewed before submission to make sure the information accurately describes the Conservation Officer interaction and the feedback being provided.

What Standards Apply to Conservation Officer Conduct?

Ontario states that Conservation Officers are trained to treat the public with respect and courtesy.

According to the Ministry, Conservation Officers are required to conduct themselves in a way that promotes:

• Respect for the law;
• Public confidence in their fairness and objectivity; and
• Timely and consistent performance of their duties.

These expectations provide useful context when submitting feedback about a Conservation Officer interaction.

What Should a Conservation Officer Do on First Contact?

Ontario identifies several things a Conservation Officer is expected to do during the officer's first contact with a member of the public.

The officer will:

• Introduce themselves and identify the Ministry;
• Identify the statutory authority for the inspection, investigation, or audit;
• Provide general information about the reason for the contact;
• Provide their contact information if requested; and
• Answer questions the person may have.

Statutory authority means the legal authority provided by legislation for the officer to carry out the particular inspection, investigation, audit, or other enforcement activity.

Can You Ask a Conservation Officer for Contact Information?

Yes.  Ontario states that a Conservation Officer will provide their contact information on request during the initial contact.

Having the officer's name or contact information can also make it easier to identify the officer if feedback is later submitted to the Ministry.

Can You Ask Why a Conservation Officer Is Contacting You?

Ontario states that Conservation Officers will provide general information about the reason for the contact.

The officer is also expected to identify the statutory authority for the inspection, investigation, or audit.

The specific information that can be provided may depend on the circumstances of the enforcement activity or investigation.

Can You Submit a Compliment About a Conservation Officer?

Yes.  Ontario's process is for both complaints and compliments.

The same telephone number, email address, and online form can be used to provide positive feedback about a Conservation Officer.

The Ministry specifically encourages feedback about people's experiences with Conservation Officers so it can understand how its services are being delivered.

Can You Request a Response?

Yes.  The online form asks whether the person submitting the feedback requires a response.

Ontario also states that if a person submitting feedback by email requests a response, the Ministry will confirm receipt by telephone or email and get back to the person within 15 working days.

A working day generally means a normal government business day rather than a weekend or statutory holiday.

What Happens After You Submit Feedback?

Ontario uses submitted information to investigate a complaint or compliment about the on duty conduct of a Conservation Officer.

If a response has been requested, Ontario states that receipt will be confirmed and the Ministry will respond within the timeframe identified on its official complaint page.

The nature of any review will depend on the information submitted and the circumstances of the Conservation Officer interaction.

What Happens to Your Personal Information?

Ontario's complaint form contains an important personal information notice that should be read before information is submitted.

The Ministry states that personal information submitted through the process is collected under the authority of the Ministry of Natural Resources Act.

The information is used to investigate a compliment or complaint concerning the on duty conduct of a Conservation Officer.

Ontario also states that information provided through the process will be disclosed to the Conservation Officer who is the subject of the compliment or complaint.

This disclosure information should be considered before personal information or details about the interaction are submitted.

Is the Complaint Process Anonymous?

Ontario's official Conservation Officer complaint process collects personal information and contact information through its online form.

The government page does not describe the Conservation Officer complaint form as an anonymous reporting process.  Anyone concerned about the collection, use, or disclosure of personal information should review the privacy notice on the official form before submitting information.

Who Can You Contact About the Collection of Personal Information?

Ontario's official form provides a contact for questions about how personal information is collected and used.

The current government page identifies:

Corporate Compliance Governance Officer
300 Water Street
Peterborough, Ontario K9J 8M5
Telephone: (705) 755-1753

The official complaint form should be checked for the current privacy contact before relying on saved contact information because government contact details can change.

Is This the Same as Reporting Poaching?

No.  Reporting suspected natural resource violations and making a complaint about a Conservation Officer are separate Ontario government processes.

The Conservation Officer complaint process is used to provide feedback about the conduct of a Conservation Officer.

Suspected poaching, illegal hunting, illegal fishing, wildlife offences, or other natural resource violations should instead be reported through the Ministry's natural resource violation reporting system.

Report a suspected natural resource violation to the Ministry of Natural Resources.

What Is the MNR TIPS Line?

The MNR TIPS line is used to report suspected natural resource violations, not complaints about Conservation Officer conduct.

The MNR TIPS number is:

1-(877) 847-7667

Ontario states that every call to the MNR TIPS line is reviewed by a Conservation Officer.  People who wish to make an anonymous natural resource violation report can use Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

Is a Conservation Officer Complaint an Emergency Service?

No.  The complaint and compliment process is a feedback process and is not an emergency response service.

Where there is an immediate public safety emergency, contact 911 or police.

Ontario also states that the MNR TIPS line is not an emergency response number.

Who Are Ontario Conservation Officers?

Conservation Officers are professional law enforcement officers who enforce Ontario's natural resource laws.

Their responsibilities include:

• Enforcing laws protecting natural resources;
• Conducting investigations;
• Inspecting resource users, licence issuers, and commercial operators;
• Gathering evidence;
• Educating members of the public; and
• Presenting evidence in court.

Ontario describes Conservation Officers as armed peace officers trained to policing standards.

What Powers Do Conservation Officers Have?

Conservation Officers have significant enforcement powers under Ontario natural resource legislation.

Depending on the law and circumstances, their powers can include authority to:

• Stop or inspect vehicles, boats, or aircraft;
• Inspect firearms, ammunition, fish, or wildlife;
• Inspect buildings and other places;
• Conduct searches under lawful authority;
• Seize items related to an offence;
• Ask questions relevant to an inspection; and
• Make arrests in circumstances authorized by law.

The existence and scope of a particular power depend on the legislation and circumstances in which the officer is acting.

View Ontario's Conservation Officer powers and authorities.

What Details Can Help Explain a Conservation Officer Interaction?

A clear factual description can help the Ministry understand the interaction being reported.

Useful details can include:

• The date and approximate time;
• The location;
• The officer's name, if known;
• Why the officer made contact;
• What was said or done;
• Whether an inspection, investigation, or audit was involved;
• Any information or statutory authority the officer identified;
• The action or response being requested from the Ministry; and
• Details of any previous contact with the Ministry concerning the same issue.

Information should be provided as accurately and clearly as possible.

Should You Keep Records of the Interaction?

Where feedback concerns a specific Conservation Officer interaction, accurate records can help identify the event being described.

This can include information already available such as:

• The officer's name or contact information;
• The date and time;
• The location;
• Documents received during the interaction;
• Correspondence with the Ministry; and
• Previous complaint or feedback information.

Ontario specifically asks whether the Ministry has been contacted about the matter before and, if so, for details of that earlier contact.

Where Can You Find the Official Conservation Officer Complaint Form?

Ontario's official complaint and compliment form is available directly through Ontario.ca.

Make a complaint or compliment about a Conservation Officer.

The page explains Conservation Officer service expectations, information to include with feedback, privacy and personal information rules, contact methods, and the online submission form.

Ontario's current page was updated on May 20, 2026.

What Are the Current Complaint Contact Options?

Ontario currently provides three ways to submit feedback about a Conservation Officer.

• Telephone: 1-(855) 497-7445
• Email: howarewedoing@ontario.ca and
• Online: Ontario's Conservation Officer complaint and compliment form.

Access the official Ontario online form.

Where Can You Find General Ministry of Natural Resources Contact Information?

Ontario also maintains general contact information for the Ministry of Natural Resources.

The Natural Resources Information and Support Centre can be contacted at:

Telephone: 1-(800) 387-7011

View Ministry of Natural Resources contact information.

The dedicated Conservation Officer complaint telephone number, email address, or online form should be used when the purpose is specifically to provide feedback about Conservation Officer conduct.

Why Can Conservation Officer Complaint Information Matter in a Legal Issue?

The complaint process can be relevant when concerns arise about the conduct of a Conservation Officer during an inspection, investigation, enforcement interaction, or other official contact.

The official Ontario process is specifically designed to receive and investigate feedback concerning on duty Conservation Officer conduct.  Details such as the date, location, officer involved, statutory authority identified, reason given for the contact, and what occurred can therefore be important when explaining the concern to the Ministry.

The Conservation Officer complaint process should be identified separately from the Ministry's process for reporting suspected natural resource violations.

How Can DefendCharges.ca™ Help?

DefendCharges.ca™ can help explain the Ontario laws governing Conservation Officer powers, inspections, investigations, searches, seizures, statements, and other enforcement activity where a legal issue arises from an interaction with an officer.

Where a hunting ticket, summons, investigation, seizure, court proceeding, or Conservation Officer interaction raises legal concerns, DefendCharges.ca™ can review the applicable legislation and available records, explain the legal issues and potential consequences, and help the person understand their options.

Key Takeaways

• Ontario provides an official process for making complaints or providing compliments about Conservation Officers;
• Feedback can currently be submitted by telephone, email, or through an online Ontario government form;
• The Conservation Officer complaint telephone number is 1-(855) 497-7445;
• The complaint and compliment email address is howarewedoing@ontario.ca;
• Ontario asks for details including the subject of the feedback, date, time, location, officer name if known, requested action, and information about previous contact with the Ministry;
• Ontario states that Conservation Officers are expected to treat members of the public with respect and courtesy and promote confidence in their fairness and objectivity;
• On first contact, Conservation Officers are expected to introduce themselves, identify their statutory authority, provide general information about the reason for the contact, provide contact information on request, and answer questions;
• A person submitting feedback can request a response;
• Ontario states that requested responses will be acknowledged and answered within 15 working days;
• Personal information submitted through the process is used to investigate the complaint or compliment;
• Ontario states that information provided will be disclosed to the Conservation Officer who is the subject of the complaint or compliment;
• The Conservation Officer complaint process is separate from the MNR TIPS process for reporting suspected poaching or other natural resource violations; and
• The official current complaint and compliment form is available directly through Ontario.ca.

Conclusion

Ontario's Conservation Officer complaint and compliment process provides a direct way to give the Ministry of Natural Resources feedback about an officer's on duty conduct.  Feedback can be submitted by telephone at 1-(855) 497-7445, by email at howarewedoing@ontario.ca, or through the official Ontario online form.  Before submitting personal information, the privacy notice should be reviewed because Ontario states that information provided through the process will be disclosed to the Conservation Officer who is the subject of the complaint or compliment.