NEWS RELEASE
Monday February 15, 1999 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

RESCIND BEAR HUNT DECISION PENDING PUBLIC REVIEW - RAMSAY

David Ramsay, MPP for Timiskaming is calling on the Harris government to stay the decision to cancel the spring bear hunt, pending an environmental assessment and public review.

"As late as last December the hunt was encouraged by the government, letting our outfitters take deposits they knew would have to be returned." Said Mr. Ramsay.

As proof, Mr. Ramsay supplied a copy of a letter sent to the Town of Cobalt from John Snobelen, Minister of Natural Resources stating that " the spring is, in many ways, the best time to hunt bears because it tends to target the males." He goes on to say "there is less chance of encountering a female with cubs in the spring because they are the last to leave the den".

Ramsay says "The government was taken prisoner by a very narrow special interest group at the expense of wildlife management, hunters and the northern economy."

"Now hunters---and even anglers-of all species know arbitrary wildlife decisions can be made without any regard for scientific and biological fact." Said Mr. Ramsay.

As well as the severe economic impact, Ramsay said he was especially concerned with public safety.

With the responsibility for bear control now downloaded onto municipalities, along with everything else and the Ministry of Natural Resources budget and staff cut to the bare bones, Ramsay expects to hear more bear horror stories this season.

Ramsay said: There must be a public review of the biological information and a decision made based on sound wildlife management issues, not on the whims of the current government.

"The hunt was working well", said Ramsay. "We had a healthier bear population".

David Ramsay, MPP
(705)647-6665

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January 19, 1999
OPEN LETTER

Honourable John Snobelen
Minister of Natural Resources
Room 6301, Whitney Block
99 Wellesley Street West
Toronto, ON M7A 1W3

Dear Minister:

I am writing to you today requesting compensation for the tourist operators who derive their living from the spring bear hunt.

Many operators have already accepted deposits from U.S. and European hunting parties for this spring. This money will have to be returned and some has already been spent, by the operators, in preparation for the upcoming season,

These operators will require immediate cash compensation as a consequence of the short notice of your decision.

Secondly, they will require assistance in order to convert their spring hunt into other activities such as photography eco-tourism. Because of the increased liability of guiding unarmed clients near bears, assistance will be required to build bear proof platforms and cages. Assistance will also be required for marketing to promote this new activity.

These operators are also having their moose tag allocations reduced and this needs to be reconsidered in order to keep these outfitters in business.

This situation is urgent for many operators in Northeastern Ontario. I ask that you respond to this request immediately.

Sincerely,
David Ramsay, M.P.P
Timiskaming

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