Regulation - LGIC
Free Recreational Fishing for Veterans and Canadian Armed Forces Service Members
Regulation Number(s):
Ontario Regulation 664/98
Instrument Type:
Regulation - LGIC
Bill or Act:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Summary of Decision:
The decision was made to proceed with the free recreational fishing for veterans and Canadian Armed Forces service members initiative.
This allows veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members to enjoy free recreational fishing beginning on January 1, 2019. To enable this, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry amended the Fish Licensing Regulation (Ontario Regulation 664/98) made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 to deem specified identification cards issued by the Department of National Defence Canada, to be sport fishing licences.
These identification cards are now recognized as a sport fishing licence and veterans and Canadian Armed forces, who reside in Ontario, must carry these cards while fishing anywhere in the province.
The regulation was filed by the Registrar of Regulations on December 17, 2018.
This allows veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members to enjoy free recreational fishing beginning on January 1, 2019. To enable this, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry amended the Fish Licensing Regulation (Ontario Regulation 664/98) made under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1997 to deem specified identification cards issued by the Department of National Defence Canada, to be sport fishing licences.
These identification cards are now recognized as a sport fishing licence and veterans and Canadian Armed forces, who reside in Ontario, must carry these cards while fishing anywhere in the province.
The regulation was filed by the Registrar of Regulations on December 17, 2018.
Analysis of Regulatory Impact:
Reducing the costs of fishing will help increase recreational fishing and consumer tourism spending in the province. Impacts to revenue would depend on the uptake by veterans and Canadian Armed Forces members but could impact Crown revenues that would normally be collected through fish license fees of between $390,000 - $600,000 per year. These heroes deserve gratitude and respect, and this is a way Ontario can give back to those who have given so much.
This decision does not place any new regulatory burdens on business but will have a minor financial impact to the 850 fishing licence issuers across the province (between $6,000 and $12,000/year in total) who receive 0.75 cents per licence transaction.
This decision does not place any new regulatory burdens on business but will have a minor financial impact to the 850 fishing licence issuers across the province (between $6,000 and $12,000/year in total) who receive 0.75 cents per licence transaction.
Further Information:
Proposal Number:
19-MNRF001
Posting Date:
Summary of Proposal:
Contact Address:
Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry
Species Conservation Policy Branch
300 Water Street, 5th Flr N
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3C7
Species Conservation Policy Branch
300 Water Street, 5th Flr N
Peterborough, ON
K9J 3C7
Effective Date:
January 1, 2019
Decision:
Approved