Evidence of meeting #47 for Environment and Sustainable Development in the 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. (The original version is on Parliament’s site, as are the minutes.) The winning word was wildlife.
A recording is available from Parliament.
Member, Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
My connection got denied. I didn't hear the question.
Liberal
John McKay Liberal Scarborough—Guildwood, ON
I'm sorry. It's a short and simple question. Is there an area where you feel the federal government should play a more robust role in either hunting or trapping?
Conservative
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
I'll jump in on this one. I believe that at this point the federal government is playing a robust role with respect to hunting and trapping. On the trapping scene, they have been involved with the international standards for traps, as Charlie LeBlanc mentioned earlier, and I think they continue to keep that role and keep on top of that situation.
We have another situation, too, which is vaguely related to us. That's the taking of seals and seal hunting. I believe the federal government has made its point to the European market that we're in favour of this, because it's part of what we do, part of our culture, and part of the sustainable harvest. I don't like being bullied around by other people from other countries who think they know better than the people on the land. I'm glad the federal government is stepping up to the plate and having something to say about it.
Thank you.
President, New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
Yes. I would reflect Tony on the seal issue. In Minister Aglukkaq, we're very fortunate to have a minister who understands the importance of wild game meat to her culture and who takes on the fight of supporting hunting.
I guess one thing we would like to see through Canada—and I've seen some rumblings in Ottawa—is around the actual right to hunt, fish, and trap in this country. The country was built on trapping. It is our heritage. It's Canadian heritage, so why can't we have a legal right to hunt and fish in the country?
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
That leads to Mr. Samson for 30 seconds.
Mr. Samson, would you like to respond?
Member, Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
Yes.
The government seems to be doing okay. It may not be so provincially, but federally I think it is okay. The Conibear trap, as Tony mentioned, is working fine. I think you can do some more experimentation there.
With respect to hunting and trapping in Newfoundland, jurisdiction is a major problem for us. We have a tern hunt in Newfoundland whereby we hunt terns. But we have to have a gun to hunt terns; we have to have a licence. Legally, we can hunt terns without a licence, but in order to carry a gun in Newfoundland you have to have a federal bird licence. But you can hunt terns without a federal bird licence.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Thank you, Mr. Samson.
We're going to move now to our five-minute rounds of questioning, and we'll begin with the NDP.
Mr. Rousseau, please.
NDP
Jean Rousseau NDP Compton—Stanstead, QC
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
When I was young, some of my uncles, my cousins, and basically a lot of my family members hunted and trapped. Fewer and fewer of them do today. In fact, my uncles and cousins are now fairly elderly.
I'd like to explain something to you. I live in southern Quebec, specifically the Eastern Townships. There are the Appalachians, the mountains and a lot of space. However, urban sprawl and the development of certain companies that take up more and more land have had a significant impact on hunting and trapping in Quebec. What's it like where you live?
My question is mainly for you, Mr. Samson. In fact, you seem to be saying that hunting and trapping is used by your members for subsistence, among other things.
Member, Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
Could you ask the question again? I didn't understand your question. I didn't read you.
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
I think the question concerns your testimony, in which you indicated that the bulk of the trapping and hunting that occurs in your jurisdiction is for food. It's for subsistence living. If you could respond to that, Mr. Rousseau would appreciate it.
Is that accurate?
Member, Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation
Thank you.
What I was saying is that the people we represent....
I've eaten muskrat and I've eaten beaver. A lot of people do that. With respect to trapping, we don't eat mink. It's not very agreeable to the palate.
To the majority of the people in the province, if you kill an animal, that animal becomes your responsibility. We do not believe in hunting animals for antlers. We believe in hunting animals for food. We believe in trapping animals for fur, but we also eat some of those animals we trap. Basically, if you kill something, you eat it. It's your responsibility.
With animals, you don't hunt the antlers. You don't take something...with salmon, catch it, have it on the line for 20 minutes to an hour, and then release it and say, “Fine. You're gone. You can spawn now.”
We don't like that.
NDP
Jean Rousseau NDP Compton—Stanstead, QC
Thank you.
Mr. LeBlanc, you mentioned in your testimony that members of your federation want to be involved in management, especially of ecosystems and natural habitats.
What concrete actions are you taking to ensure that you have others who will continue after you and, at the same time, that the species that might be at risk will continue to survive?
President, New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
I will answer you in French. Is that okay?
President, New Brunswick Wildlife Federation
Throughout the province, some of our people are involved in projects. Some projects are under way.
I'll have to do it in English because the translation is distracting me, okay? I'm very sorry.
On what we're doing to enhance, we have environmental projects that are done by our members, as well as education. Education is probably the biggest aspect. Many of our clubs have classes, do hunter education and firearm safety courses, and have campgrounds to try to introduce the youth to the outdoors and make them understand how important the environment is.
Is that the answer you were looking for, monsieur?
NDP
Jean Rousseau NDP Compton—Stanstead, QC
Yes, absolutely, Mr. LeBlanc.
My next question is for Mr. Rodgers.
Mr. Rodgers, you said that commercial hunting has caused species to disappear and that it will cause others to, as well. In your opinion, traditional hunters have been able to stop this slaughter.
Are there any endangered species that you are paying attention to in order to ensure that future generations will have access to them?
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
We certainly are in Nova Scotia. The province has spent a lot of time, a lot of money, and a lot of energy on hunter education programs to ensure that our young folks coming into the program learn the values around hunting and fishing. Part of that training is a whole course on ethics, how we should treat wildlife and how we should deal with it in the future.
If you don't mind me going back to the question you asked Charlie with regard to the hunting spaces, you are right that we are losing a lot of land to commercialization. A lot of areas where I used to hunt as a young man have apartment buildings on them now, and it's a sad situation. What's worse is that we're losing some of the hunters as well, as was mentioned earlier. I'm afraid it has more to do with what the children are interested in these days, and that's sitting in front of a computer screen, playing games, and not getting out of doors, enjoying the wildlife and taking advantage of it. We're going to try our best, and we are trying our best, to try to bring them back in.
We also took a hit to our hunting and fishing community—
Conservative
The Chair Conservative Harold Albrecht
Thank you, Mr. Rodgers.
We have to move on to our next question. Hopefully you can work your response into another question as we sit in front of our screens here, when we'd rather be out, well, doing something else, probably.
Mr. Woodworth, you're next for five minutes.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
My thanks to the witnesses for participating in this committee. It really is important for citizens across the land to do what you're doing today and to help members of Parliament better fulfill their roles.
Just before I get into the questions, Mr. Rodgers, would you like to take 30 or 60 seconds to finish the thought you were just trying to make?
Executive Director, Nova Scotia Federation of Anglers and Hunters
Yes, Mr. Woodworth. I appreciate that.
All I was going to say was that our hunting community took a hit 20 years ago when we had the introduction of the long-gun registry. When that came in, it just turned sour. A lot of men and women just gave up the sport. They got rid of their guns and we lost them forever. We also lost the billions of dollars that those folks may have contributed over the past 20 years.
I hope we never see anything like that again, because it will again have a negative impact not only on us but also on wildlife.
Thank you for the opportunity.
Conservative
Stephen Woodworth Conservative Kitchener Centre, ON
I just thought that as a matter of courtesy you should be permitted to finish that.
Actually, Mr. Rodgers, because we've already started together, and also because my own roots through my father are from Nova Scotia.... My grandfather was a great hunter. One of my favourite stories of his was how he managed to bag two moose with one shot. I've never known whether that was a realistic possibility or not.