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Ouellette Criticizes McGuinty Liberals over Nuisance Permits for Elk
Opposition Critic calls on government to initiate a controlled hunt for 2010

Queen's Park – Jerry Ouellette, MPP Oshawa and Official Opposition Natural Resources Critic, chastised the McGuinty government today over its plan to issue "kill" permits for wild elk in the province of Ontario.

Today in the legislature, Ouellette revealed that hidden in the government's omnibus Bill 212, The Good Government Act, 2009, is an amendment to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act which gives the Minister of Natural Resources the authority to issue "kill" permits to landowners and farmers who are experiencing problems with elk.

"The recent restoration of wild elk back into the province of Ontario is a huge success story", asserts Ouellette, who was part of the former PC government which initiated the elk restoration plan back in 1997. "We are fervently opposed to the issuance of kill permits for this recently re-introduced species especially given that the MNR has not yet completed an elk management strategy for Ontario."

In certain areas of the province such as Bancroft where the elk population has expanded to over 500 animals, a carefully controlled hunt for elk is needed as a means to manage the entire population, assist landowners, and provide hunting opportunities to help stimulate revenue to manage the elk program.

"We recognize the concerns of farmers and appreciate the ability to protect their crops and property through harassment and capture provisions", maintains Ouellette. "It would be more appropriate for the government to move forward with an elk management plan including a carefully controlled hunt to assist landowners, create unique new hunting opportunities and help stimulate revenues and local economies."

"This proposal degrades elk to nuisance status and is an offense to the conservation groups and all the hard working volunteers who helped re-establish these magnificent animals back into Ontario", adds Ouellette.

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Jerry J. Ouellette, MPP – Oshawa
Opposition Critic – Natural Resources
Tel. (416) 325-2147
Fax (416) 325-2169