From Sootoday, plus comments by readers
Orazietti responds to allegations of MNR wrongdoing
Tuesday, February 25, 2014 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
DAVID ORAZIETTI,
MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
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I am pleased to provide a response to the letter released by Mike Boudreau, President of OntORA.To be clear, my priority with respect to crown land access is that the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) ensures the greatest possible access to crown land for the enjoyment and use by all Ontarians.Current and former Ontario government employees are governed by conflict of interest rules, which require declarations of any activities that are deemed to be in potential conflict with their duties as public servants.
If a current MNR employee wishes to obtain a right, title or interest in Crown land, section 39 of the Public Lands Act requires that this employee obtain Lieutenant Governor in Council (LGIC) approval.MNR has a policy—public lands directive 4.11.06 Disposition of Crown Land to Ministry Employees—which clarifies when MNR employees need to declare potential conflict of interest issues or when they need LGIC approval.While section 39 of the Public Lands Act only applies to current MNR employees, both current and former public servants are required to notify the ethics executive if they engage in an activity that may result in an actual or potential conflict of interest under the Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006.
Current and former employees must fill out the Conflict of Interest Declaration Form, and must not proceed with the activity until a ruling is made.The Public Service of Ontario Act, 2006 (PSOA) requires Ontario Public Service employees to declare potential situations of conflict of interest to their Ministry ethics executive.
Prior to 2006, conflicts of interest were governed under the Public Service Act, which first took effect in 1913.These requirements are in place to create a level playing field and ensure that ministry employees do not receive any preferential treatment, or benefit from special knowledge, by virtue of their employment with MNR.In 2008 the Ombudsman’s office reviewed this issue and investigated a complaint that some MNR employees owned or had interests in tourism-related businesses.
“After one of our investigators reviewed the complaint and obtained clarifying information from the ministry, we determined there was no basis on which to pursue the complaint further,” said Ombudsman spokesperson Linda Williamson.I encourage anyone who has a concern to come forward with evidence and submit it to my office, as well as to the Office of the Ombudsman.David Orazietti
Minister of Natural Resources
Minister of Natural Resources
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Comments
Hamguy 2/25/2014 5:30:57 PM ReportMaybe it’s time to call in “The Fifth Estate ” or ” W5 “. This story may prove interesting before it’s over.
mosquito123 2/25/2014 6:04:42 PM ReportIf everything is and has been above board as you state Mr Minister, why are you not calling for a public inquiry yourself to put an end to this once and for all.Think of all the support you would get if the public inquiry cleared the MNR.My guess is you know a public inquiry will find all MNR’s dirt and show us those little secrets and expose them for all to see.Do the right thing here and hold a public inquiry.
Gurpy 2/25/2014 6:13:27 PM Reportmosquito123
He will not get any public support! The damage is done! Doesn`t really matter what he does!
He will not get any public support! The damage is done! Doesn`t really matter what he does!
KDawg 2/25/2014 6:39:00 PM ReportTypical liberal politician. Mr. Boudreau brings forth some serious concerns and all Orazietti can do is provide policy statements.An election can’t come soon enough.
dust2 2/25/2014 6:42:14 PM Report“serious concerns”lolso serious that he doesn’t even say what’s going on, other than the land being used for private reasons.so serious that it didn’t even warrant any further investigation from being handed the ‘evidence’this is a small issue that’s trying to be blown up so people can get their political attacks in.
HowAbooutSomeLogic 2/25/2014 6:48:44 PM Reportlol @ dust“so serious that it didn’t even warrant any further investigation from being handed the ‘evidence’ “Riiiight…gov’t investigating gov’t and not finding any fault or reason to investigate further. About the same way every police investigation goes when an officer is accused of wrongdoing.**Just because they say it didn’t warrant further investigation does not make it so**
wave 2/25/2014 7:24:30 PM ReportDear Mr. Orazietti,You need a staff of personnel to respond to any issues or questions that may come your way. Simply put – no nonsense – just the truth – you are selling out! You are not standing up for what is right. That’s it! End of discussion – no other way to put it. If you were on the opposition….I wonder what you would say. What will you tell your grandchildren when they wonder what happened? That’s it – no name calling, nothing but the simple truth!
frnlak 2/25/2014 8:02:11 PM ReportOK The Liberals are out next election and Dave becomes our new mayor but lets get back to the point.
The fact is that the MNR are systematicaly berming, digging ditches, pulling bridges and generally blocking forest roads to keep the general population of Ontarians from accessing crown lands for reasons only they know. All you have to do is go outside the city. Mile 38 road, Whitman Dam Road, Laughing Lake Road, off chutes on the Ranger Lake Road are prime examples made unaccessable under Liberal direction. There are several others in other areas of the province. Mike Boudreau and Tom Brason know of many more I am sure. The roads are blocked off so the high paying American tourist won’t see Joe Blow Ontario fishing in the same lake that he paid taxes to stock. Plain and simple. This not only affects hunters and fishers but hikers, berry pickers and the like. The question of how many retired and active MNR employees own remote tourist lodges has been presented to the minister on several occasions with no meaningfull response. If everything in the MNR’s realm is above board, then I see no reason why the Honourable Minister balks at the mention of an independant enquiry into this issue.Stick to the subject and stick your windmills where the sun don’t shine.
Please excuse my spelling mistakes
The fact is that the MNR are systematicaly berming, digging ditches, pulling bridges and generally blocking forest roads to keep the general population of Ontarians from accessing crown lands for reasons only they know. All you have to do is go outside the city. Mile 38 road, Whitman Dam Road, Laughing Lake Road, off chutes on the Ranger Lake Road are prime examples made unaccessable under Liberal direction. There are several others in other areas of the province. Mike Boudreau and Tom Brason know of many more I am sure. The roads are blocked off so the high paying American tourist won’t see Joe Blow Ontario fishing in the same lake that he paid taxes to stock. Plain and simple. This not only affects hunters and fishers but hikers, berry pickers and the like. The question of how many retired and active MNR employees own remote tourist lodges has been presented to the minister on several occasions with no meaningfull response. If everything in the MNR’s realm is above board, then I see no reason why the Honourable Minister balks at the mention of an independant enquiry into this issue.Stick to the subject and stick your windmills where the sun don’t shine.
Please excuse my spelling mistakes
mjr 2/25/2014 8:48:32 PM ReportI just heard a senior couple tell a story of them setting up camp by a lake they have fished for forty years situated on crown land,when they were approached by the MNR and told to break camp because an outfitter had american bear hunters coming in and needed their site.
Unbelievable.
Unbelievable.
gr84u 2/25/2014 9:33:24 PM ReportHere is a better idea Dave O. How about you take a break from the cameras. Use our Governments resources and provide all Sault residents, in a timely manner, with a complete list of all current and former MNR and relatives that own or have owned crown land in Ontario for lets say the last 54 years. If you are diligent, unbias and follow this through regardless of the outcome and ramifications, then maybe we the voters will let you keep your job. Maybe not!
gr84u 2/25/2014 9:43:15 PM Report@ mjrI would have told the MNR to take a flying f$$$k and refuse to move, then call as many news stations as
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