Ouellette Criticizes Mcguinty Government’s Moose Management Review

Opposition MNR Critic fearful government ignoring moose hunters at public meetings

Queen’s Park – Jerry Ouellette, Official Opposition Natural Resources Critic, questioned the McGuinty government for not listening to moose hunters and conservationists while embarking on a moose management review.

In response to a scathing report from the Auditor General of Ontario, the government has recently initiated a review of its moose management program. According to the Ministry of Natural Resources, this review calls for a full-scale public consultation on the moose tag allocation process.

“Moose hunters are being ignored, “asserts Ouellette. “From the initial public meetings we understand the government appears to have already determined future policies and is simply informing the public of their intent”.

During today’s Question Period in the Legislature, Ouellette challenged Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield to assure moose hunters from across Ontario that their input on moose management and the tag allocation system will be heard. Ouellette also urged the government to conduct a comprehensive study of their own population and harvest data before considering any future management options.

“The government must listen to the public and obtain the most up to date scientific information before considering controversial, restrictive measures including a province-wide calf tag draw”, cautions Ouellette.