PROTECTING ONTARIO'S NATURAL RESOURCES

For Immediate Release
August 15, 2008

PROTECTING ONTARIO'S NATURAL RESOURCES
McGuinty Government Keeping Outdoors Safe

 

Five new conservation officers will soon be protecting Ontario's natural resources and keeping the outdoors safe.

 

The protection of the province's natural resources is also being improved through increased ground patrols, patrols using aircraft, boats and other mechanized transportation, and new mobile technologies. These enhancements are being supported by a $2.5 million provincial investment.

 

The new officers will focus on lakes Ontario and Erie, as well as other priority areas within the province.

 

Ontario's conservation officers patrol an area of more than one million square kilometres, protecting fish and wildlife, ensuring that anglers and hunters follow the rules, helping to safeguard species at risk, and more.

 

QUOTES

 

"The investments we are making in enforcement will help strengthen the ability of our conservation officers to do their job, including inspecting, enforcing, educating and working with other agencies," said Natural Resources Minister Donna Cansfield. "Ontario's conservation officers protect our natural resources from abuse, and keep our great outdoors safe."

 

QUICK FACTS

 

• The additional $2.5 million for the enforcement budget is an increase of 10 per cent over the previous year's budget.
• Ontario's conservation officers have powers of inspection, arrest, search and seizure under the various statutes they enforce. They work closely with the Ontario Provincial Police, other police services and federal enforcement agencies in the delivery of the public safety mandate of the governments of Ontario and Canada.

 

LEARN MORE

 

• Find out more about how Ontario's Conservation Officers protect our natural resources (ontario.ca/conservationofficer).

 

For More Information

 

Media Enquiries

 

Stefanie Million, Minister’s Office, 416-314-2198

Jolanta Kowalski, Communications Services Branch, 416-314-2106

 

ontario.ca/natural-resources-news

General Enquiries

Natural Resources Information Centre
1-800-667-1940
TTY 1-866-686-6072 (Hearing Impaired)