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