Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory said today that a PC Government will reverse years of McGuinty Liberal neglect and restore necessary funds to the Ministry of Natural Resources Fish and Wildlife Program. 

Tory made the comments today at the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) in Peterborough, Ontario, following a meeting with OFAH staff. 

"Ontario's fish and wildlife resources are essential to our economy, our environment and our way of life in this province," Tory said. "Dalton McGuinty has spent years neglecting this sector, and it's time we had a Premier who will fix the damage this Government has created." 

The economic contribution of the sector is estimated at $2.5 billion annually in Ontario and $6.2 billion nationally. 

Despite promising in 2003 to "give the MNR the resources it needs to once again properly manage Ontario's fish and wildlife," Dalton McGuinty has broken his promise and consistently under funded the Ministry for years, leaving our fish and wildlife program in a state of crisis. 

While the McGuinty Government continues to collect taxes and fees from hunters and anglers, the Fish and Wildlife Program is experiencing a funding shortfall of $35 million. 

A John Tory PC Government will provide the resources necessary to protect and enhance our natural resources and restore pride to the ministry that manages them by: 

• Matching the contributions of anglers and hunters with an additional investment of $35 million annually starting in the second term; 
• Investing in and building on the successes of the Community Fish and Wildlife Involvement Program (CFWIP); and 
• Hiring more conservation officers and giving them the tools they need to do their jobs.

• Dramatically increase fines for the worst offenders against our natural resources; 
• Foster respect among Ontario's youth for our natural resources and our environment by modernizing the MNR's youth programming; and 
• Create a provincial Outdoors Caucus to give the outdoors community a stronger voice. 
• "Our natural resources are a significant part of our heritage as Ontarians," Tory said. "We have a responsibility as a government to work with stakeholders and with the public to provide steadfast support to those who protect and sustain our natural resources." 

Investing in the Fish and Wildlife Sector – Why it's Important 

Ontario 's fish and wildlife sector used to be a source of pride, recreation and of revenue. Due to year-after-year cutbacks, the Fish and Wildlife Program is not fulfilling those roles any longer.

The economic contribution of fish and wildlife related activities is estimated to be more than $6.2 billion annually and results in approximately 77,800 jobs. 

Over 6.7 million Ontario residents, and over half a million visitors to the province, participate in some form of fish and wildlife activity each year.

4 Years of Neglect Under Dalton McGuinty

• In 2003, in a written response to the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, Dalton McGuinty promised to " give MNR the resources it needs to once again properly manage Ontario's fish and wildlife" .. Dalton McGuinty chose not to fulfill that promise. 
• Historically the government of Ontario used to match the contributions of anglers and hunters. Under Dalton McGuinty, that is not the case. 
• In the 2007/08 budget, the McGuinty Liberals continued to underfund the Fish and Wildlife Program by approximately $35 million. This, following an attempt to cut, in half, the funding for the successful Community Fish and Wildlife Involvement Program ( C.F.W.I.P) 
• This structural underfunding of Fish and Wildlife Programs has severely compromised the ability of the ministry to carry out their mandate. So much so that staff are forced to hold bake sales to put gas in their trucks and large, vital resources are left underserviced. 

John Tory's Plan for the MNR and the Ontario's Outdoors Community

• We will reinvest in the fish and wildlife sector, bringing the funding back to where it was intended – matching the contributions of anglers and hunters. We will achieve this investment over two years, working closely with stakeholders like the OFAH. In the second year of a John Tory government, this will mean an investment of $35 million more in funding to help rebuild out vital outdoors community. 
• We will invest in the Community Fish and Wildlife Involvement Fund and explore how we can build on its success. 
• We will hire more conservation officers and give them the tools to do their jobs effectively. 
• We will create a provincial Outdoor Caucus to give our outdoors community a stronger voice. 
• We will revamp the MNR's youth programming to better educate and engage Ontario's next generation. 
• We will dramatically increase the fines for the worst offenders against our natural resources. 
• We will work with fish and wildlife representatives to develop opportunities for new species stocking, hunting and greater protection for animals held in captivity. 

"The Ministry of Natural Resource's fish and wildlife sector has been underfunded for years. We are pleased to see that recognized with today's commitment." 

Ray Sriubiskis, VP 

National Sportsmen's Show

"We are pleased with this commitment and what it could mean for renewed urban fishing programs. This investment will also increase opportunities for individuals to participate in the sport of fishing in the Greater Toronto Area." 

Jim Bamford, Director

Metro East Anglers