MPP Jeff Yurek is demanding the Minister of Natural Resources come clean on how the funds of its Special Purpose Account are spent.
The Special Purpose Account is funded by the fees collected on hunting and fishing licences. The purpose of the account is to manage Ontario’s fish and wildlife resources.
In a news release, Yurek says many in the hunting and angling community have expressed concern over the lack of accountability on these funds.
“I’ve talked to a number of hunters and anglers and they tell me that the fees for licences continue to go up with fewer services being offered,” said Yurek. “We’ve seen this government squander money with no accountability for too long. The Ministry is failing on accountability by not providing timely and relevant information on the SPA to those who actually foot the bill.”
The Environmental Commissioner’s annual report released last fall also noted a reduction in the MNR’s resource management efforts. Despite the decreased activity, the MNR is moving ahead with plans to collect additional fees.
One such fee would require seniors to pay for fishing licences, something from which they’ve long been exempted.
“We’ve seen this government overspend for years. Now they’re coming back to Ontario residents – after reducing service levels – and asking them to fork over more money,” said Yurek in the release.
See Yurek in the legislature on this issue: http://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6Xrkka9gvY&feature=youtu.be
