WhatFinger


Lanark, Frontenac, Lennox & Addington

Rural Affairs Critic Hits the Ground Running




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Just three days after being appointed Rural Affairs Critic, Lanark-Frontenac-Lennox and Addington MPP Randy Hillier met with Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) officials and approximately 80 local businesses from the OLA - Eastern Ontario Outdoorsmen branch to discuss the Ministry’s harmful new regulations on bait fish.   The new regulations place unprecedented restrictions on the sale of bait minnows, a move that would cause serious financial harm to the industry.  Up to 70% of revenues will be lost by the bait harvesters and dealers under the new regulations.  In addition, the ripple-effect throughout the tourism sector will result in measurable harm and loss to people’s livelihoods throughout rural Ontario. During the meeting, which was organized by Mr. Hillier, MNR officials acknowledged that this new restriction was “unintended” and could not explain its inclusion in the new fishing summary.   “I applaud the MNR officials for finally consulting those affected by their regulations,” Hillier said.    Amending the newly-crafted regulations will require the Federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO) approval.  The MNR officials present confirmed they will be briefing MNR Minister Donna Cansfield on the problem immediately. Hillier requested the MNR seek immediate approval from DFO for these corrections.  Furthermore, Mr. Hillier advised the participants that he will contact his Federal counterpart, MP Scott Reid, requesting the DFO Minister act upon this matter urgently.   “This over-regulation, and regulating without public consultation, seems to be the norm and not the exception with the McGuinty Government.  Having heard from the true stakeholders, I urge Minister Cansfield to act quickly to alleviate this injustice,” Hillier concluded.  


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