Conservatives condemn MNR handling of park closures

NEWS RELEASE

ONTARIO PC CAUCUS

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Scott and Miller condemn MNR handling of park closures

QUEEN’S PARK - Laurie Scott, MPP for Haliburton-Kawartha Lakes-Brock and PC Critic for the Ministry of Natural Resources, and Norm Miller, MPP for Parry Sound-Muskoka and PC Critic for Northern Affairs and Mining, said recently that MNR’s announcement to close ten provincial parks was very poorly handled.

“I have discussed this matter with several mayors of affected communities who expressed anger at the announcement. There was no prior discussion or consultation with local municipalities, residents or stakeholders,” said Scott. “No attempt was made to open a dialogue with those individuals and groups who would be directly impacted, to explore other options for keeping the parks open.”

Miller added: “Nine of these parks are in Northern Ontario. The closures will undoubtedly have a negative impact on local tourism and businesses. Once again decisions impacting the north are being made in Toronto without local input.”

Scott went on to say: “We all know that the province is in a financial crisis and has to get its spending under control, but did the Minister look at the possibility of outsourcing the management of these parks to interested municipalities or stakeholder groups as a means of keeping them open, while eliminating the province’s financial obligation?”

“This lack of transparency has been all too typical of MNR,” said Miller. “In the Environmental Commissioner’s most recent report, he is very critical of MNR’s failure to consult with Ontarians on matters of significance, even to the point of failing to post proposals on the Environmental Registry, which the Ministry is legally obliged to do.”

Scott and Miller believe that the McGuinty Government has mismanaged the Ministry of Natural Resources; it is opting for quick, short-term solutions rather than engaging Ontarians in an open and transparent manner.

This decision is eerily similar to the approach that the McGuinty Government took when it decided to have an ONTC fire sale, without consulting with Northerners.

Quick facts

The elimination of full services at these provincial parks will result in a 400 km stretch of the Trans-Canada Highway across Northern Ontario with no overnight camping.

Affected parks in Northern Ontario are: Caliper Lake, Fushimi Lake, Greenwater, Ivanhoe Lake, Mississagi, Obatanga, René Brunelle, The Shoals and Tidewater.

The closures will result in the elimination of direct and indirectt jobs in Northern Ontario.

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Earlier SooToday.om coverage of this story

 

David Orazietti talks MNR cuts