Sent the following letter to the Premiere and the Minister also sent 57 similar letters to the affected municipalities, I hope it helps
The Honourable Kathleen Wynne, Premier
Legislative Building
Queen's Park
Toronto ON M7A 1A1
The Honourable David Orazietti, Minister
Ministry of Natural Resources
Suite 6630, 6th Floor, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, Ontario M7A 1W3
Dear Premier Wynne and Minister Orazietti,
Safari Club International (SCI)-Canada is pleased that the current Ontario Government is taking positive steps to reestablish the spring bear hunt in 8 different Wildlife Management Units (WMU) throughout Northern Ontario as a pilot project. The Ontario government’s positive first steps to reestablish this season is supported by SCI-Canada and our worldwide membership.
SCI has approximately 51,000 members worldwide, and through our affiliation with other organizations, we help to represent the interests of nearly 8 million hunters. Hunters have been and continue to be the most committed stewards to wildlife to ensure long term conservation and sustainable management. Through our organization’s conservation programs we have produced some of the highest quality research for wildlife populations that guide species management throughout North America.
Since the cancellation of the spring bear hunt in 1999, SCI has consistently advocated for a return of the hunting season. Our research throughout North America has demonstrated time and again that consistent predator management allows for better ecosystem management for all game species. We are pleased that the provincial government has recognized the value of this wildlife management tool and has proposed a bear management program in response to problem bears in northern Ontario. SCI looks forward to working with the provincial government and local municipalities so that the full benefits of regulated spring bear hunting can again be realized.
The absence of a spring bear hunt has created a severe public safety risk, with five bear attacks being reported across the province this year. Before its cancellation, the spring bear hunt also generated over $40 million per year in economic activity and sustained a number of jobs in northern Ontario, jobs that have since flowed to the neighboring provinces of Manitoba and Quebec which continued to have hunts.
We encourage the Government to continue the pilot project with a long-term view of expanding the spring season to more WMUs. Further consideration should be given to opening limited seasons to non-resident hunters who can greatly increase the economic and conservation value per bear harvested within Ontario.
Yours in Conservation,
Jason St. Michael
SCI-Canada Operations Manager
Contact: Jason St. Michael
jstmichael@safariclub.org
Office: 613-687-4775
Cell: 613-401-8037