Unfortunately, Minister Orazietti and the Wynne Liberals had an opportunity to actually stand up and let northern families’ voices be heard for a change. They had the opportunity to show northerners that they’re an important part of Ontario who deserve real and rational solutions to their challenges. It’s too bad they missed this opportunity.
Instead, today’s announcement of a “pilot” spring bear hunt is just another sad political tactic and seemingly more bad Liberal policy. It is another attempt to sidestep the economic and social issues facing the North, while trying to create optics that we’re being listened to.
The elected representatives of the Cities and Towns of the North know what their best interests are and can make the best decisions. The Ontario PC party has committed to enable all local governments to make the best decisions on wildlife management for their regions. We won’t be cherry picking winners and losers for our own political gain.
Today’s announcement just continues to reflect the lack of trust that the Wynne government has in Northerners. If introducing a Spring Bear Hunt is a useful wildlife management tool, and it is, then commit to it and lets allow all 260 northern municipalities the opportunity, not just the vote rich big 5. I am also mystified at the Ministers decision that the hunt will restrict tags to just Ontario residents. In making this decision they show that they clearly don't understand the economic value of the hunt to the tourist and outfitters industry here in the North.
The last thing the North needs is another NDP committee or Liberal pilot project. We need real action that will help rethink the North to get it off of the slippery slope to nowhere it is on.
We need to get away from all this political gamesmanship and phony pilot projects that accomplish nothing. I encourage the Minister and our NDP member to find the courage to stand up for northern families, let our voices be clearly heard and declare the reinstatement of the hunt.
Northerners Matter, Northern Ontario Matters and Together We Can Rethink The North!
