FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 10, 2006
Fish and wildlife
enforcement stats to drop sharply for 2006-07, union says
TORONTO – The number of charges
and convictions related to fish and wildlife laws is set to
drop sharply for 2006-07, says the union representing
Ontario’s Conservation Officers.
“From 2004-05 to 2005-06,
statistics from the Ministry of Natural Resources show an 11
per cent reduction in the number of fish and wildlife charges
laid, a 19 per cent reduction in the number of convictions,
and a 25 per cent reduction in the amount of fines paid,” said
Leah Casselman, president of the Ontario Public Service
Employees Union. “These numbers are dramatic and shocking, but
they are nothing compared to what we will see this year. This
year is when the worst cuts to enforcement have taken effect.”
For the 2006-07 budget year,
the MNR has sharply reduced budget allocations for
Conservation Officers for fuel, repairs, cell phone bills,
uniforms, meals, and so on.
Cuts to operating budgets have
forced Ontario Conservation Officers to ration fuel for their
vehicles, Casselman said.
“It’s hard to believe, but in
most districts Conservation Officers simply don’t have the
funding to do regular patrols,” she said. “This year, our
officers have spent more time parked at the office than at any
time they can remember.
“They should be out in the
field. That’s where the violations occur.”
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For more information:
Randy Robinson (416)
448-7441; (416) 788-9134 (cell)
