MPP Calling For Bear Management Committee

A northeastern Ontario MPP is calling for the creation of a bear management committee.
John Vanthof has tabled a motion in the Ontario Legislature calling for a committee that would examine and provide solutions to what he calls a growing nuisance bear problem in the north.
He says it’s no surprise given the cancellation of the spring bear hunt, Ministry of Natural Resources budget cuts and the cancellation of the Bear Wise program.
Under his proposal, the committee would consult with local communities and develop a full bear management strategy under the Ministry of Natural Resources.
Vanthof says the group needs to examine why human-bear conflicts have increased.
He adds the committee should look at the long term sustainability of Ontario’s bear population, but also management factors including hunting and trapping.
The NDP member from Timiskaming-Cochrane is proposing that the committee be comprised of members from all three parties.