One of the problems we are having in Ontario is that right-wing “populist” Premier Doug Ford, elected June 29, 2018, has governed so badly on issues of immediate importance to all of us that there has been little time or media space devoted to his attacks on the environment and wildlife. Earlier, I discussed what I still consider the single worst wild game management decision by any Canadian government, but he’s struggling to match it with another ludicrous proposition, again ignoring the science.
Attempting to stem declines in moose, thinking there will be more calves for hunters to kill, Ford is allowing, in much of northern Ontario, a kill of two wolves per small game permit, and an unlimited year-round kill of coyotes, never mind that coyotes are at most statistically insignificant predators on moose. Thanks to this policy, coyote pups still dependent on their parents will die painfully of starvation or dehydration.
I’d like to tell Ford this: “Some provinces and states have undertaken wolf control efforts. After control measures were discontinued, wolf populations in Alaska, British Columbia, Quebec, and Yukon soon recovered to pre-control levels. For example, in the Papineau-Labelle Wildlife Reserve in Quebec, wolf numbers recovered to previous levels less than a year after a 71% reduction in wolf numbers. Once wolf populations recover, moose populations typically return to pre-control levels.
“The Strategy for Wolf Conservation in Ontario directs wolf management in the province. The goal of wolf management is to ensure ecologically sustainable wolf populations and the ecosystems on which they rely for the continuous ecological, social, cultural and economic benefit of the people of Ontario. Achieving this goal requires the consideration of both ecological and social values and interests.”
But that is from Ford’s own Ministry! It’s already known. For him, facts don’t seem to matter, and compassion is missing.
I don’t have room to list Ford’s multitudinous missteps, except for one, to give you a sense of what we face. In response to the federal (Liberal) government placing a tax on fossil fuels (like gasoline) Ford’s government (Conservative) mandated that service stations, although they are private businesses, must attach a government-issued sticker to each gas pump showing the increase. What it does not show is that the federal government is providing a rebate so that the change for gasoline buyers is essentially revenue neutral – little if any actual cost – and, of course, the important thing is to incentivize the fight against global warming. In other words, the stickers mislead.
But wait, in addition to that, the stickers are peeling off because they have the wrong adhesive, even though – and you can’t make this up – Ford’s wealth results from his family running a company that makes labels and stickers!
That’s just the tip of a massive iceberg of bumbling incompetence and we have nearly three years to go before we can remove this guy from office in an election. Meanwhile, animal and environmental abuse will, I fear, continue.
Keep Wildlife in the Wild,
Barry
