Once again, the Ontario…

Once again, the Ontario government has provided an unrealistic time-frame to comment on regulatory changes.

In this case, the province is proposing new rules to make it easier to trap wildlife, like beavers, a keystone species that develops and maintains wetlands.

Wildlife, like wetlands, are beneficial to the environment and our economy.

Wetlands support biodiversity, improve water quality, maintain stream control, recharge groundwater, filter pollutants, reduce impacts of floods/droughts, control erosion, mitigate climate change by storing carbon, and create ideal habitats for many species.

Ontario has continued to experience more frequent and severe drought conditions; intensified by climate change, unsustainable development, and the elimination of wildlife that helps to keep wetlands functioning.

Since 2002, Ontario has lost over 70% of wetlands. Recently, the province abandoned the Wetland Conservation Strategy with no alternative strategy to protect and restore these important eco-systems. Now the province wants to “reduce regulatory and administrative burdens” for trappers and fur traders’ economic prospects.

Animal protection, public resources, and Ontario’s ecological health must take precedence over small gains to fur traders.

I do not support the proposed changes and submit the following comments for consideration:

1. Improve the public consultation process and extend the comment period.

2. The province must provide scientific and environmental evidence to support the need to fast-track trapping regulations.

3. Trapping wildlife must be proven to be a last resort option, where the public is involved in discussions and decision-making and provided timely information and review.

4. Any trapping of wildlife must prioritize animal welfare and be based on current peer-reviewed science and environmental factors.

5. Strong reporting and regulatory oversite are needed to ensure that trapping practices obey humane standards.

6. Small financial gains for the fur trade must not override animal protection, public resources, and Ontario’s ecological health.