Ahead of the 2026 Ontario budget, OFAH Membership is calling on the government to recognize the importance of our fishing, hunting, and trapping heritage with investments that will enhance access, reduce barriers to participation, and ensure the long-term sustainability of fish and wildlife.
When the OFAH enters the halls of government, we bring more than just passion and decades of experience; we bring the weight of a $4.2 billion GDP contribution and almost 33,000 full-time jobs. Fishing and hunting are a major economic driver, particularly in rural and northern Ontario, and it is time the provincial budget reflected that reality.
For too long, the Fish & Wildlife Special Purpose Account (SPA), funded primarily by our licence fees, has provided the majority of support for the provincial fish and wildlife program. We are calling on the province to match these contributions from the Consolidated Revenue Fund to offset the pressures of rising costs. If we are the primary stewards of Ontario’s natural resources, we deserve a provincial commitment that matches our own.
We are seeking investments including: infrastructure to increase access to the outdoors, promotion of outdoor heritage, improvements to fish stocking and fisheries management, investment in wildlife research and cutting-edge monitoring tools like drones and infrared technology, and the control and management of invasive species. Also, we are renewing our call for more conservation officers to protect our natural resources and a sustained $79 million investment in the Forest Access Roads program that provides the vital links to some of our province’s best outdoor recreation opportunities.
We are also seeking investments in the Community Hatchery Program (CHP) and the Invasive Species Action Fund (ISAF). In 2024, more than 1,272 CHP volunteers donated 46,000-plus hours to raise 9.1 million fish for public waters. That’s the equivalent of 28 full-time jobs for a fraction of what it would cost the government. The OFAH has been a vital implementation partner, helping to address youth unemployment, conservation issues, and leveraging federal funding to help partners manage invasive species. We also ask the government to return several non-operating parks to operational status.
Our outdoor heritage is our greatest asset, and our collective voice ensures the traditions we love are protected for the next generation. You can read the full submission on our website at: www.ofah.org/prov-budget
Originally published in the Ontario Out of Doors Fishing Annual 2026
For more OFAH Insider click here
