- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
Randy Hillier is running for leader of the Ontario PC's
http://www.hillierforleader.com/bearhunt/
RE-OPENING THE SPRING BEAR HUNT
The Problem
In 1999, the Progressive Conservative government bowed to the pressure of radical activists and banned the spring bear hunt. The ban was not driven by science or any well-founded conservation needs, but was done to appease a small group of outspoken critics.
As a result of this decision nuisance bears have become a serious problem for residents of the north and tourism and the regional economy have suffered.
Randy’s Solution
As Premier, Randy Hillier will bring back Ontario’s spring bear hunt. Hunting regulations will be set based on a consideration of conservation needs, scientific population management, and sustainable harvest.
Randy will work to promote tourism and hunting in the north, to help restore Ontario’s outdoors economy. The people of rural and northern Ontario will be given a voice in the decisions that impact their communities and their livelihoods.
Background
http://www.hillierforleader.com/bearhunt/
RE-OPENING THE SPRING BEAR HUNT
The Problem
In 1999, the Progressive Conservative government bowed to the pressure of radical activists and banned the spring bear hunt. The ban was not driven by science or any well-founded conservation needs, but was done to appease a small group of outspoken critics.
As a result of this decision nuisance bears have become a serious problem for residents of the north and tourism and the regional economy have suffered.
Randy’s Solution
As Premier, Randy Hillier will bring back Ontario’s spring bear hunt. Hunting regulations will be set based on a consideration of conservation needs, scientific population management, and sustainable harvest.
Randy will work to promote tourism and hunting in the north, to help restore Ontario’s outdoors economy. The people of rural and northern Ontario will be given a voice in the decisions that impact their communities and their livelihoods.
Background
- The International Fund for Animal Welfare launched a pressure campaign against the Progressive Conservative government in the run-up to the 1999 provincial election. Fund spokesman Rob Sinclair was quoted in the November 27, 1998 Toronto Star: “We want to hurt the government on this. We want Bart Maves and Tim Hudak to go to Mike Harris and say: ‘Do something about these hunting laws.’”
- The government refused to reconsider the bear hunt ban, even after seeing the effect it was having on the people and economy of the north. “Despite a perceived increase in the number of nuisance bears since the cancellation of the spring bear hunt, Northern Development and Mines Minister Tim Hudak said the decision to end the hunt won’t be revisited. “That decision stands,” he said, when questioned by media about whether recent reports of nuisance bears - including one in the Temagami Public School playground earlier this year - had changed the province’s views. Hudak said it’s important that the province work with “partners” to ensure public safety, but rejected the notion of revisiting the decision to end the spring bear hunt.” [1]
- Other provinces, including British Columbia, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Quebec have continued their spring bear hunts.
- The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters has estimated that from 1987 to 1998, the spring bear hunt contributed $350 to $500 million to the north, provided 2,600 to 3,600 person years of employment and involved the participation of almost 100,000 hunters.
- The government is forced to deal with thousands of nuisance bear calls every year. According to OFAH biologist Terry Quinney, “The appalling reality is that in recent years, thousands of black bears have been shot and wasted by government officers, police and landowners in defence of private property, farm livestock and crops or in the interests of public safety. It’s anyone’s guess as to exactly how many bear cubs have been orphaned because their mothers were labeled as ‘nuisance’ animals, but the number is certainly far in excess of that when the spring hunt was still in effect.” [2]
