As a wildlife biologist for…

As a wildlife biologist for the provincial government in British Columbia, I have witnessed firsthand the detrimental impact of streamlining processes to reduce administrative burden - the result is a significant loss of monitoring and tracking of fur bearer populations with the reduced reporting requirements and lack of accountability when there is limited oversight. In addition, we have seen a decrease in furbearer populations as well as increases in habitat degradation on crown land with the increased removals of furbearers with increased trapping (extended seasons or allowed during closed seasons), and expanded killing methods. I strongly advise in my professional capacity against this and instead to devote more resources on obtaining accurate and updated assessment of furbearer populations (trapping records alone do not properly inform population dynamics and demographics) to better inform conservation and management strategies for Ontario’s furbearer populations.