Ontario Parks – A summer of Dispute and Resolution

Ontario Parks agreed to enter into a ‘dispute resolution process’ with The Peaceful Parks Coalition and Cormorants Defenders International to resolve outstanding issues associated with two controversial proposals to extend the shooting of White-tailed Deer and Double-crested Cormorants for ten years at Presqu’ile Provincial Park. Both these species are considered ‘nuisance’ and ‘over-abundant’ by Ontario Parks.

These proposals if adopted would set precedent in Ontario. It would permit the killing of native wildlife within the provincial parks system to the sole discretion of wildlife managers with no obligation to inform or consult with the public. This management policy is already in practice in federal and municipal jurisdictions, and there are longstanding generational federal and municipal wildlife killing programs that are unknown to the general public.

These ‘closed-door’ wildlife policies tend to be associated with highly controversial management practices and are intended to intercept public criticism and remove government accountability by removing public scrutiny.

The ‘dispute resolution process’ involved a site visit to Presqu’ile Provincial Park located just west of Belleville on Lake Ontario, two meetings with Ontario Parks’ staff, and an exchange of information and supporting documents.

On September 14, 2009, The Peaceful Parks Coalition submitted their Recommended Changes to the Proposed Resources Management Plans for the Mainland and Islands of Presqu’ile to the Minister of Natural Resources, Donna Cansfield and Ontario Parks.

We participated in the 'dispute resolution process' in the spirit of optimism and transparency, hoping to achieve true protection for Ontario’s native wildlife within the province’s protected areas. With the submission of the briefing paper to Ontario Parks, and in the spirit of public transparency, The Peaceful Parks has now resumed their public campaign to protect Double-crested Cormorants and White-tailed Deer.

If the Ontario government fails to adopt our recommended changes, The Peaceful Parks will apply to the Ministry of the Environment for a Part II Order – an independent environmental assessment.

In support of ‘nuisance’ wildlife everywhere, we have designed a new t-shirt that will help raise funds to financially support the campaign and raise public awareness.