Government fails on promises made to Anglers

News Release

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ST. THOMAS –Today, Jeff Yurek, Ontario PC Critic for Natural Resources & Forestry questioned why the Liberal Government has yet to fulfill its commitment in creating  an advisory council for fisheries management zone 16  . 

 Over eight years ago, the  Liberal Government  committed to create fisheries management zones (FMZ) which would collaborate with public advisory councils throughout the province.  The Government divided the province into 20 FMZ but has failed in creating the corresponding advisory councils in every zone.  "I am concerned that the Government has failed in creating a public advisory council for zone 16, an area of the province that runs from Orillia to Windsor and Tobermory to Niagara Falls and represents the largest population in Ontario" said MPP Yurek.  This zone  also  includes Lake Simcoe  which is one of the largest lakes in the province.  

The fisheries management advisory councils are designed to represent a wide range of stakeholders within the zone and provide a venue to share ideas and experiences.   Their goal is  to facilitate communication with local  and angling communities  which in turn works with the Ministry to develop and implement  fishing  management strategies.   Unfortunately this is not happening in FMZ 16.

“ This government has had more than enough time to create these advisory councils .” said MPP Yurek, “ Unfortunately, under every Minister, including Minister Mauro, collaboration with the angling community and transparency does not seem to be a priority. Without the advisory councils in place, no forum exists for grassroot anglers to engage with the Government and offer their experiences or ideas.  Instead, this Government is forging ahead with its own agenda and fishing management plans." 

MPP Yurek is calling on the government to make creating the advisory council in zone 16 and throughout the province a top priority for the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry.