Regulation - Minister
Amend Part 7 of O.Reg. 663/98 (Areas South of the French and Mattawa Rivers where Sunday Gun Hunting is Permitted) under the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Regulation Number(s):
329/10
663/98
663/98
Instrument Type:
Regulation - Minister
Bill or Act:
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Summary of Decision:
A decision was made to proceed with the proposal. The proposal was implemented by an amendment to O. Reg. 663/98 (Area Descriptions) by O. Reg. 329/10. This regulation was filed by the Registrar of Regulations on August 30, 2010 and published in the Ontario Gazette on September 18, 2010.
Further Information:
Environmental Registry Number 011-1051
O. Reg. 663/98 Area Descriptions
O. Reg. 329/10
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act
Proposal Number:
10-MNR007
Posting Date:
September 14, 2010
Summary of Proposal:
Prior to 2006, most of the Sunday hunting regulations were implemented in the 1950s. Gun and archery hunting on Sundays were allowed in northern Ontario, archery hunting on Sundays in southern Ontario and gun hunting on Sundays in 25 municipalities in the southern part of the province. Those municipalities specifically requested that Sunday gun hunting be allowed in their areas.
Wildlife populations in Ontario are healthy and some are increasing. While this is generally good news, there are a number of instances where populations have reached levels where the public has expressed concern about impacts on agriculture, human safety and the environment. The agricultural community, including farmers and other landowners, have proposed that allowing Sunday gun hunting would be a beneficial and cost-effective means of helping address their concerns.
The environmentally significant aspects of this regulation were already considered during consultation with municipalities and the public on a proposal to expand where Sunday gun hunting could occur during the spring through fall of 2005. Consultation occurred on Sunday gun hunting and the expansion of deer seasons to accommodate it during the spring through fall of 2005. During this period, over 230 municipalities in southern Ontario were asked to advise of their interest in permitting Sunday gun hunting within their areas and were told that Sunday gun hunting would not be allowed in their area unless requested.
As a result, a notice of proposal was posted on the Environmental Registry (Registry Number RB05E6807) from October 20 to November 21, 2005 proposing to add 67 municipalities and 14 geographic townships to the existing 25 municipalities where Sunday gun hunting could occur.
There have been eight previous amending regulations which have further altered the Schedule.
Sunday gun hunting is subject to all restrictions associated with public safety and conservation, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Where Sunday gun hunting is allowed, it is subject to no-discharge bylaws that municipalities have enacted under the Municipal Act to address public safety concerns. Where these bylaws are in place, they apply to both Crown and private lands, throughout the gun season.
Wildlife populations in Ontario are healthy and some are increasing. While this is generally good news, there are a number of instances where populations have reached levels where the public has expressed concern about impacts on agriculture, human safety and the environment. The agricultural community, including farmers and other landowners, have proposed that allowing Sunday gun hunting would be a beneficial and cost-effective means of helping address their concerns.
The environmentally significant aspects of this regulation were already considered during consultation with municipalities and the public on a proposal to expand where Sunday gun hunting could occur during the spring through fall of 2005. Consultation occurred on Sunday gun hunting and the expansion of deer seasons to accommodate it during the spring through fall of 2005. During this period, over 230 municipalities in southern Ontario were asked to advise of their interest in permitting Sunday gun hunting within their areas and were told that Sunday gun hunting would not be allowed in their area unless requested.
As a result, a notice of proposal was posted on the Environmental Registry (Registry Number RB05E6807) from October 20 to November 21, 2005 proposing to add 67 municipalities and 14 geographic townships to the existing 25 municipalities where Sunday gun hunting could occur.
There have been eight previous amending regulations which have further altered the Schedule.
Sunday gun hunting is subject to all restrictions associated with public safety and conservation, including the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. Where Sunday gun hunting is allowed, it is subject to no-discharge bylaws that municipalities have enacted under the Municipal Act to address public safety concerns. Where these bylaws are in place, they apply to both Crown and private lands, throughout the gun season.
Contact Address:
John Dungavell
Legislation Specialist
Wildlife Section
300 Water Street
P.O. Box 7000
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Legislation Specialist
Wildlife Section
300 Water Street
P.O. Box 7000
Peterborough Ontario
K9J 8M5
Effective Date:
September 1, 2010
Decision:
Approved