Future of bear management committee unclear: MPP
Progressive Conservatives voted unanimously against the committee, which may complicate matters
The Ontario legislature recently passed a motion to strike a committee to explore the issue of bear management, but it’s a long road before the motion actually becomes a reality.
The motion — put forward by Timiskaming-Cochrane MPP John Vanthof — passed on Oct. 31, with support from the NDP and many Liberals. It now faces the long and sometimes arduous committee process.
The proposal is also being considered alongside every other private member’s bill, said Bill Mauro, the Liberal MPP for Thunder Bay-Atikokan.
“The tradition and the convention of the legislature is that [these bills] become the subject of some horse-trading, if you will, among the three house leaders,” Bill Mauro said.
He said he’s personally in no rush to see the committee up and running, as he’s more concerned with a private member’s bill he put forward that would restart the spring bear hunt in Ontario.
‘Nothing ceases to amaze me’
The New Democrat MPP for Timmins-James Bay said he thinks the bear committee is a good idea, but added there’s no guarantee it will become a reality because the parties are so divided.
“You know, I’ve been in the legislature 24 years now [and] nothing ceases to amaze me,” Gilles Bisson said.
“Sometimes, the most difficult things are easy, and the easiest things are most difficult.”
Bisson said he remains optimistic about the motion, but added its future is uncertain.
“It was supported by all New Democrats and by a fair number of Liberals, including cabinet ministers,” he said.
“So that tells me this is something we might be able to do.”
Bisson said it doesn’t help that one party is vehemently against the proposal, as the Progressive Conservatives voted unanimously against the committee, calling the idea redundant.