M.P.P. says fishing and hunting fees to go up

Jerry Ouellette
Progressive Conservative M.P.P.

Queen’s Park - The McGuinty government, in its unprecedented attack on the taxpayers of this province, now intends to increase user fees on anglers and hunters.
Jerry Ouellette, MPP for Oshawa and Natural Resources critic for the Official Opposition questioned the government in the Legislature over the proposed increase in user fees for fisherman and hunters, with no commitment to ensure the funds are spent in outdoor programs.
Minister of Natural Resources, David Ramsay, responded, “...most the people who enjoy the resources out there in this great province would agree with me, that we probably undervalue the resources we have in this province”.
“My understanding is that there is an MNR program suspension pending a review,” said Mr. Ouellette. “Increasing user fees at this time is nothing more than another punitive tax grab by this government, on the fisherman and hunters of Ontario”. The present strategy keeps Ontario right in line with all other jurisdictions in North America when it comes to fishing and hunting license fees.
An Ipso/Reid survey conducted in 2003 by the Ministry of Natural Resources indicated that a great majority of resource users are dissatisfied with increased license fees contrary to the Minister’s statement in the House.
Mr. Ouellette, who last year as Minister of Natural Resources froze license fees at 2002 levels agreed, “Hunters and fisherman in Ontario already pay their fair share for the resource.”