It is with great sadness and…

It is with great sadness and regret that I am providing feedback on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s proposal to allow new licenses and the transfer of licenses for train and trial areas in Ontario.

These changes are wrong on so many levels. Before I proceed, I would ask that if any of you have young children or grandchildren, please ask them what they would do. Young children get it right. Why don’t you arrange a field trip for a kindergarten or Grade 1 class to one of these facilities? Then let them make the decision on the proposed legislation.

And now to the wild animals: foxes, coyotes, rabbits, and who knows what other creatures:

• Capturing these animals is wrong in the first place. They need to be left alone to live in the wild. We, as humans need to appreciate that they have a right to an existence in the wild. We need to learn to co-exist with them, and to support their lives by whatever means we can. They have a right to be on this planet, just as we do. The very act of capturing them would be terrifying to each and every one of them. Ask a prisoner of war how it feels to be captured.

• Then they are set up as pawns for hunters to train and hold competitions, only to be tortured and die a cruel death. This reminds me of bullfights in Spain, or throwing Christians to the lions in Ancient Rome. And yet here we are in 2023.

Instead of opening new applications, the province’s existing 24 facilities need to be closed immediately. Why is the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry concerned about hunters’ requests? Shouldn’t the Ministry be concerned about protecting wildlife, not torturing it?

I am sure that if you took a poll of Ontarians, that 98% would not be in favour of these proposed changes. The only ones in favour would be hunters. I see a future where we, as humans treat all life on this planet, including Mother Earth herself with love and compassion and respect.

Please reject the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s proposal to allow new licenses and the transfer of licenses for train and trial areas in Ontario.