MNR Needs to Move Into the 21st Century
I received a lot of comment about a recent letter in which I had suggested that there needs to be more funding provided to the Ministry of Natural Resources so that they can do a better job of managing our natural resources in Ontario. Most of the comment agreed that there needs to be a better job done of managing our natural resources. However many questioned whether providing more funds to an already inept MNR would change anything.
The MNR is seen as having a lack of understanding and complete disdain for the issues important to the people of northern Ontario. Many of their policies are viewed as created in southern Ontario by southerners and then applied to northern Ontario without any regard for the differences. In the case of the Temagami Stewardship Council and the Nipissing Stewardship Council instead of giving any credibility to the enormous body of good work already accomplished by both councils the North Bay MNR used inclusion in the Ontario Stewardship Program as a big stick to exert control over the councils to demand they both conform to the stewardship model used in southern Ontario. Not only was there no value given to past accomplishments but the prospect of having very good and worthwhile work end was of no concern as long as the MNR was in complete control. The Nipissing Council caved to the pressure. The Temagami Council struggled on for 2 more years before dying. It is still possible to view the body of work accomplished by the Temagami Council at www.temagamistewardship.ca and click on TSC Info button to view projects.
I use the TSC example above because it is an issue I am most familiar with. However, there are a litany of examples to illustrate the utter incompetence of this ministry. Land management plans where the initial plan is solely created by MNR employees. The municipalities and local citizens who will be impacted by the decisions are not even involved in the planning stage. The plan is then presented to the public for their input. Is there a single person in Northern Ontario who really believes there is any credence given to the public input?
I have also seen surveys created to gather input on these land use plans or changes to hunting and fishing regulations where questions have been designed to solicit a desired response or a favourable option has been omitted as a possible choice for an answer. Relinquishing a little control and involving local citizens, hunters and anglers in the initial creation of the documents would provide so much more credibility.
But that would mean that the MNR administration would have to move into the 20th century and relinquish a little control. The oligarchy that is the MNR would have to become more democratic and the public service that is the MNR would have to service the public.
Gaye Smith
Island 970, Lake Temagami, Ont. P0H1C0
705-237-8709
