NEWS BULLETIN
Fall 2018
OntORA’ S News Editor and Communications Director Retires
Simon Guillet has decided its time to finally retire from being OntORA’ S news editor and communications director. Simon was the founding President of OntORA when it was formed in 2008. He was instrumental in the formation of OntORA and getting financial support from the USW to start up the new organization. After his role as President Simon stayed on as an advisor and communications director. Simon’s talents as a writer will be missed. We thank him for all his dedication and hard work for OntORA. We also wish Simon a happy retirement.
OntORA meets with Sault Ste Marie MNRF District Office
In its ongoing quest to engage in useful dialogue to promote OntORA policies with politicians and MNRF officials in the new Ontario political landscape, OntORA executive officers made arrangements to meet with the MNRF Sault District Manager on September 11th.
MNRF District Manager Wayne Fisset was off due to illness. However, Bill May, District Resource Management Supervisor, paid close attention to OntORA views and comments. Discussion was held on crown land access, moose regulations, Lake trout limit and the Whitman Dam road.
This meeting was well received by both parties and we look forward to further dialogue.
Forest Access Roads
After describing our mission, we informed him that, contrary to some scare stories circulated by NOTO and others, OntORA is not out to shut down northern tourist operators, but merely seeking an end to the present discriminatory two-class system of public access. We raised our concern over berms and culverts and other means of preventing public access to secondary roads, many of them paid for by taxpayers. Bill May informed that in the Sault area he has given the directive to logging operators if a bridge is pulled then they need to make the creek or river passable by truck.
May is also going to talk to his Manager about making loggers put roads farther away from tourist operators so that it avoids conflict. Right now, the loggers control how they put roads. We discussed all the roads with no access in the north, Timmins, Chapleau, Wawa etc. We spent a good amount of time on the issue of access. OntORA asked that they reconsider/modify some of their berming and other policies. OntORA also discussed the issue of Local Citizens Committees being addressed and given a more democratic initiative than was fostered by the previous government.
May reiterated that everything revolves around the Forest Management Plans as far as changing policies about where road closure signs are posted, where the roads get built, etc. However, when OntORA argued that when it comes deciding which lakes might be protected in the Forest Management Plans, the District Managers have a lot of leeway as to where and how far back on the road system various closure signs are placed. May did not disagree but, moved away from that topic. Perhaps more pressure or representations with various District Managers across the province may be helpful in pursuing this point.
OntORA also covered government funding of Forest Access Roads in Ontario. Currently, according to Bill May, there is a total of only $50 million in government funding each year for forestry roads. So even though 100% of primary roads / 50% of secondary roads / 0% of tertiary roads may be funded by the government, each logging company only gets their pro-rationed share of the $50 million pot, depending on how much wood they harvest over a 3-year period.
At the annual AGM there was a question from a member on whether access roads to Goulais Lake, Patterson, Eileen and Coppens were still closed. Those roads are in the Algoma Headwaters Signature Park and continue to be closed. See section 8.1.5 of the park plan. This park was opposed by many groups. The website is below:
http://files.ontario.ca/environment-and-energy/parks-and-protected-areas/mnr_bpp0331.pdf
Moose Regulations
We relayed our frustrations over the current moose regulations and mismanagement of the moose program. In the 1980’s when the MNR took away the buddy system we were told it was necessary to increase the herd. Where are we with the herd today? Nobody addressed the real problems, bears, wolves, poaching and non-reporting for native harvesting.
A large percentage of calves are killed each spring by bears and wolves. Adult moose also are victims to these predators.
The only way the moose herd will increase is if all parties sit down and work together to address the issues.
Lake Trout Regulations
The Lake Trout limits introduced created a lot of concern and frustration amongst anglers. Especially the slot size. The majority of anglers could live with the reduction to 2 for the time being. I understand the scientific model may say that the slot size is required but the practical model which we see out there as anglers suggests we are losing fish that are put down the hole in order to continue to fish to stay within the slot size. Ask any angler. Most anglers like myself do not keep lake trout over 2 lbs. We understand they are our future producers. Public education would be effective here. At the request of the MNR we submitted a letter outlining our concerns over the Lake Trout regulations.
Whitman Dam Road
OntORA also discussed the Whitman Dam Road Committee and the good work done by that Committee which benefits a great many people. May replied that the MNRF is cooperating with the Committee and assisting wherever possible.
OTHER ISSUES:
Meeting with MPP Ross Romano
President John Kallio met with MPP Ross Romano and his assistant on October 5th to introduce himself and OntORA. A general discussion occurred on what OntORA stands for. Discussion ensued on access issues in northern Ontario, frustration over MNR polices and lack of consultations with the public. We also requested that we get a meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources. MPP Ross Romano stated he will set up a meeting when the Minister is up in the Sault.
Clive Henderson Update
Clive continues to fight the MNR over the unjust trespass onto his private property. Next court date is in December.
OntORA Needs Volunteers
There is a great need for assistance within OntORA. We are looking for officers and a person willing to do the newsletter. The Sudbury, Wawa and Timmins are in need of directors. Please help out if you can. Remember not only are we fighting for our rights but the rights of our children and grandchildren.
Please renew your 2019 Membership:
OntORA Membership Renewal
Memberships keep our OntORA group strong:
Market Mall PO BOX 24055 Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6C 6G7
NAME ________________________________ Join / Renew:
ADDRESS _____________________________
CITY ________________________________ POSTAL CODE __________
TELEPHONE ______________
E-MAIL _______________________________
ANNUAL FEES:
Single $20 / YR 2 yrs $40 3yrs $60
Family $25 / YR 2 yrs $50 3yrs $75
Lifetime $350 Corporate $100 / YR
Donation to OntORA Legal Fund: ______________ Amount enclosed: ________________________
I wish to volunteer my time to help OntORA: __________
NEWS BULLETIN
WINTER 2019
ONTORA MOURNS THE LOSS OF ITS PAST DIRECTOR
OntORA’S Sudbury Director Andy Zandarin passed away peacefully on Friday December 21st, 2018. Andy was a avid supporter of OntORA and became Director for the Sudbury group. He resigned in May of 2018 after getting the third OntORA sign up. He was instrumental in getting the 3 signs up. The first one was just north of Cartier followed by the second sign placed on the East Bound side of Hwy 17 East in Warren. The third one is along Hwy 17 West near the Fairbanks Lake turn off. Andy was also a Zone Representative with the Ontario Federation of Anglers. As most know, Andy was not afraid to speak his mind. OntORA will miss his vocalness and passion for the outdoors. Our sincere sympathies go out to his family and friends.
ONTORA’S LAWYER PASSES AWAY
OntORA was saddened to hear Jonathon Poitras passed away at the young age of 34 on December 22nd, 2018. Our sincere sympathies go out to his family and friends.
OntORA hired Jonathon Poitras back in 2015 when OntORA was appealing the decision of the Justice of the Peace on the charges from the Foleyet rally. Jonathon Poitras was an avid outdoorsman and when we sat with him to discuss the appeal, he agreed to be our lawyer and help out with the costs. OntORA appreciated all his efforts on our behalf.
ONTORA PRESIDENT MEETS WITH ONTARIO’S MINISTER OF NATURAL RESOURCES
OntORA’ S executive met with the Local MNR on September 11th, 2018. A meeting was also held with MPP Ross Romano on October 5th. These meetings were reported on in the fall 2018 News Bulletin.
We also requested from MPP Ross Romano a meeting with the Minister of Natural Resources when he came to the Sault. President John Kallio was invited to sit in on a round table discussion with the Minister of MNR, John Yakabuski on November 15th, 2018. Below is what was raised with the Minister and a hard copy at his request was sent to the minister:
• Access continues to be a concern for many outdoor enthusiasts. The MNR closes roads without proper consultation and considerations of all user groups. Around tourist operations, do not put the roads close to them.
• Stewardship of the natural resources of the province by the MNR is not working. There is too much autonomy for district managers. Lack of proper consultation. They also don’t seem to listen to feedback given to them. Ex Algoma Headwaters Signature Park. The majority were against this park.
• Moose management has been a failure. The buddy system for tag allocation was cancelled due to the moose herd population declining. This was changed in the mid 1980’s to the current tag allocation system. Today the herd has still not improved. They never addressed predator management or how to deal with non-reporting by natives.
• The current Lake Trout slot size and 2 fish limits in our zone. Many fishermen could live with the 2 fish limit for now but the slot size needs to be removed. Better education to the public on releasing bigger fish that are the breeding stock of a lake. More stocking needs to be done.
The Minister did state with regards to moose management that the government is working to make the moose draw fairer, more accessible and simpler for hunters by updating its approach to managing moose. Over the next two years the tag quotas and allocation process will be reviewed.
ONTORA’S AGM
This year’s AGM will be held tentatively on April 27, 2019. We will send out a reminder on the date, time and location as we get closer to the end of April 2019.
PLEASE RENEW YOUR MEMBERSHIPS.
Memberships keep our OntORA group strong.
OntORA Membership Renewal
Market Mall PO BOX 24055 Sault Ste. Marie, ON
P6C 6G7
NAME ________________________________ Join / Renew:
ADDRESS _____________________________
CITY ________________________________ POSTAL CODE __________
TELEPHONE ______________
E-MAIL _______________________________
ANNUAL FEES:
Single $20 / YR 2 yrs $40 3yrs $60
Family $25 / YR 2 yrs $50 3yrs $75
Lifetime $350 Corporate $100 / YR
Donation to OntORA Legal Fund: ______________ Amount enclosed: ________________________
I wish to volunteer my time to help OntORA: __________
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