A Progressive Conservative MPP in eastern Ontario is worried how changes to the spring bear hunt will affect northern businesses and hunters. Todd Smith says the province is now reducing the number of non-resident hunters who can take part in the hunt. Smith says this late change is going to disappoint a lot of hunters who have already made arrangements to come to Northern Ontario.
He says once they arrive, they’re going to learn they won’t be able to get the hunting tags they need for the spring hunt. Smith has a suggestion he believes avoids disappointment. He’s suggesting that the Ministry of Natural Resources honour the packages sold to hunters by the outfitters for this spring. Then if it wants to limit the number of hunters, that change can take place for the fall hunt. Smith is the Tory critic for natural resources.