Wynne Government Failing Anglers and Hunters in Ontario
October 4, 2016QUEEN’S PARK – The Wynne government’s lack of accountability and transparency on a Special Purpose Account is depriving necessary funding to improve angling and hunting across Ontario, Nipissing MPP Vic Fedeli said today.
The Special Purpose Account (SPA) was created years ago when the government initiated license fees for angling and hunting in Ontario. The SPA pools together all revenues from Fishing & Hunting licensing fees and royalties. The revenue in the SPA is then to be reinvested back into wildlife management to improve angling and hunting across the province.
The report obtained by the Aylmer District Stakeholder Committee shows that in 2011/12 the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) spent $69,000 to sell, buy and rent housing accommodations and $55,000 on psychologist and other medical services. In addition, stakeholders received a response this summer stating that the Ministry does not track local expenditures for the Fish & Wildlife SPA.
“This is deeply troubling. Instead of using these funds for their intended purpose – to improve angling and hunting in Ontario – the Wynne government is using these funds for completely unrelated purposes,” said Fedeli.
This morning Elgin-Middlesex-London MPP Jeff Yurek also questioned the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry on the lack of transparency of the expenditures of the Special Purpose Account.
“As my colleague MPP Yurek indicated in the Legislature this morning, this is in direct contradiction of the Financial Administration Act that requires receipts and disbursements be recorded for Special Purpose Accounts.”
“We know the MNRF has the information hunters and anglers want. The Minister must be transparent and release the details,” Fedeli concluded.