Dear sir:
“Come and hunt Ontario’s pristine parks” could soon festoon tourism’s advertisements aimed at attracting big bucks from south of the border if Natural Resources minister John Snobelen refuses to acknowledge the opposing and more popular opinion of “hands off the parks.”
As if it was not enough that hunting, angling, motorized access, commercial, and industrial activity was granted on 90 percent of Ontario Crown Lands, it also is being proposed that sport hunting be allowed in our protected wilderness parks.
This potential flip-flop on park policy results from decisions made by the Harris government in July at the conclusion of the questionable “Lands for Life” (later “Living Legacy”) process.
A response by the Ontario Forest Accord advisory committee, in an attempt to distance itself from this unfavourable about-face by Mr. Snobelen, reads: “In our opinion, this change in existing provincial parks (all wilderness and nature reserve class parks are currently off limits to hunting) was not proposed in the ‘Living Legacy’ public consultation material and appears to contradict commitment number four of the Ontario Forest Accord,” which states, “Significant changes in parks and protected areas policies, legislation and permitted uses would occur only after public consultation and review.”
The minister hopes to demonstrate credibility to this proposal by inviting input at the local level knowing full well that businesses strategically located to benefit from sport hunting in the parks would be most vocal. Meanwhile, the gross majority of its global users (roughly 145,000 visitations to Quetico during 1999) would have little opportunity for significant input.
Already the OFAH has called on its roughly 15,000 members (representing 0.13 percent of the Ontario population) to prepare a good show of support. Comments made by many non-member hunters and anglers suggest they are not in favour of this proposal despite its strong backing by the OFAH.
The Northern Ontario tourism Organization (NOTO), one of the interest groups which stands to benefit most from this decision, stated recently in a news release that “this is not the beginning of a slippery slope.” Is anyone convinced?
This dangling carrot comes as no surprise, considering the Ontario government compromised NOTO’s remote tourism base in the face of the forest industry’s demands for less restricted wood access followed by, and adding insult to injury, the loss of the spring bear hunt.
On the other hand, the comparatively small but politically well-positioned Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, who lobbied for unrestricted access to all Crown Lands while supporting industrial and commercial interests that pressed for greater control over and multiple use of Crown Lands, was not to be left unrewarded. But at what cost?
Considering that the majority of Crown Land in Ontario already is open to multiple use and that the mining and forest industries continue to punch roads into previously roadless areas, giving greater access to hunters and anglers, this gross infraction of the greater public’s rights by the minister would be totally unwarranted.
As defined by the MNR, “Wilderness parks are substantial areas where the forces of nature are permitted to function freely and where visitors can travel by non-mechanized means and experience expansive solitude, challenge and personal integration.”
These few wilderness parks, protected by legislation, were meant to provide such an environment in our otherwise managed (or mismanaged) landscape. A view obviously not shared by the OFAH as demonstrated in their selfish campaign to have it all.
Given the mechanical dependency of today’s hunting and angling industry, it is irresponsible and short-sighted for anyone to presume that this proposed change in provincial park policy would not lead to further demands for increased motorized access to wilderness areas.
One must recognize, as well, that by opening this door, the minister undoubtedly sends a signal to other commercial interests that wilderness parks are open for business. Can NOTO honestly deny the ominous possibilities of this slippery slope?
If it is your opinion that our wilderness parks should continue to be protected from hunting, motorized access, mining, logging and hydro development as originally set out in the Wilderness Park Guidelines, then do not hesitate to express it where it counts most!
Signed,
Fern Pelletier
Stratton, Ont.
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