Mantha presses minister on MNR Crown land allegations
Monday, October 15, 2012 by: SooToday.com Staff
NEWS RELEASE
MICHAEL MANTHA, MPP
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NDP’s Mantha demands answers from MNR on access to Crown lands
QUEEN’S PARK – Algoma-Manitoulin MPP Michael Mantha rose in question period today to ask Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle about allegations that some MNR employees are acquiring Crown lands contrary to Public Lands Act.
“Minister, Northerners are upset and rightfully so.
"It’s been brought to my attention that there are MNR employees, who are in the outfitters business.
"Working for MNR gives them the ability to influence the rules in order to restrict access to crown land.
“Subsection 39(1) of the Public Lands Act says, 'No person holding an office in or under the Ministry and no person employed in or under the Ministry shall, directly or indirectly, purchase any right, title or interest in any public lands either in the person’s own name or by the interposition of any other person or in the name of any other person in trust for the person without the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council.'
“Minister, are you prepared to investigate these claims and guarantee equal access to Crown land to all Ontarians?
“Every year Ontarians are restricted from accessing more of our natural resources due to MNR putting up restriction signs and tearing up roads.
"A two tier system has been created and, worse still, MNR staff are in the middle.
“People in Northern Ontario are saying that MNR staff have purchased or leased Crown land.
"Instead of protecting our natural resources, they're benefiting from that land.
"And they’re setting the rules that leave local residents out and advantage others with greater means to pay.
“What is your Ministry prepared to do to investigate?” asked Mantha.
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Dictionary 10/15/2012 11:03:14 PM ReportAMEN! The Liberals have turned our public lands into outdoor playgrounds catering to wealthy Americans. They do this under the guise of maintaining a remote feel for people who can afford it.
This is not only a slap in the face to residents who wish to access our Crown Land, but also insults the customers who are fortunate enough to be able to afford it.
The MNR under direction of the party's stance is that you can still access these remote locations by canoe etc. What this fails to address is that all residents including children, the elderly, and the disabled should be able to access our crown land. Not just the limited percentage of the populace that is physically fit enough to portage canoes, food, etc.
I am by no means in opposition to tourism dollars. But I am in opposition to the slow decline of service of the MNR, and the governments disregard of the rights of the people of Ontario.
I hope that the all resource users will bear this in mind come election time.
theprotector 10/16/2012 9:14:58 AM Reportthe local mnr office had someone (not sure if still there) that was allowed to run a bear hunting operation on crown land! As a matter of fact he was even allowed to go and bait his area during working hours. Nice!
67Tanger 10/16/2012 10:16:08 AM ReportCongrad to you Tom...in pursuing this corruption and getting the publics attention. (A job well done)
Bad Dawg 10/16/2012 10:47:03 AM ReportI have noticed this over the last couple of years because I can't fish where I used to.... At one place the sign says the waterway was closed by MNR but I have seen other boaters on the lake and only one camp just off the lake??? Seems there could be a ring of truth to these claims of MNR workers not playing by the rules. I just hope our courts screw them to the damn wall, they are supposed to be proctecting our wildlife not being allowed to obtain prime crown land for themselves!!!
Kevin5069 10/16/2012 10:55:07 AM ReportThis has been going on for years, but has increased a lot lately. Lots of roads and bridges we spent tax money building are now being blocked and we cannot access the Crown land. That same land is leased with MNR staff deciding what they have to pay for it (it's very reasonable, don't worry), then they run an outfitting or fly-in fishing camp there.
It's another joke on tax payers in Ontario, more blatent corruption.
vic-star 10/16/2012 7:35:48 PM Reporti am glad that someone finally stepped forward and raised this issue. it is very frustrating to watch the people who are supposed to be protecting and preserving our land, abusing it. i definitely would love to see these people pay for what they are doing.
Note: Comments that appear on the site are not the opinion of SooToday.com. Keep discussions civil and on topic. Refrain from obscenity and don't post anything that your grandmother would be ashamed to read. Those who do not abide by these guidelines will have their membership revoked without notice. If you see an abusive post, please click the link beside the post to report it.
