Backgrounder

NATURAL RESOURCES TIPS REPORTING LINE
1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667)

Each year the Ministry of Natural Resources lays between 8,000 and 10,000 charges for natural resource violations. Our natural resources are more fragile than you know. Abuse of our natural resources reduces opportunities for everyone and threatens the future sustainability of the resource.

The new toll-free TIPS-MNR reporting line provides a direct line for the public to report resource violations to the ministry 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in Ontario.

Natural resource violations include any illegal activity against Ontario's fish and wildlife, forests, parks, aggregate resources, and public lands, such as:

• The illegal sale of species at risk or wildlife or animal parts
• Fishing or hunting out-of-season
• Taking more game than allowed
• Night hunting or shooting from a roadway
• Unauthorized shoreline alteration or dumping waste on Crown land
• Illegally removing sand, gravel or Crown timber from public lands
• Having fires in restricted fire zones or without a permit, and
• Illegal activities in provincial parks and protected areas.

A member of the public who sees or suspects resource abuse should safely take note of as much information as possible and call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667). Conservation officers will use the information to investigate. The TIPS-MNR line is not an emergency response line.

Helpful information includes:

• Vehicle licence plate number, make and model
• Date and time of day
• Approximate location (road, lake, street address, landmarks)
• Details about the suspected activity
• Description of any people involved in the incident.

By working together we can help protect our natural resources from abuse and illegal activity.