I am writing in response to…

I am writing in response to the proposed changes to moose management and wolf and coyote hunting regulations in northern Ontario (ERO 019-0405 and ERO 019-0406). Please consider these comments as part of the public review.

Ontario’s moose population is under threat. Your government must act with urgency to protect moose and ensure a healthy, thriving population of this nationally important species.

The government’s proposal to ease restrictions on wolf and coyote hunting is unethical and unscientific. There is no scientific evidence that increased wolf and coyote hunting will address moose population decline in Ontario. To the contrary, the Ministry’s own scientific evidence shows that hunting wolves will not decrease overall predation of moose. Eastern coyotes are not even significant predators of moose.

Wolves, coyotes, and moose have been co-existing and co-evolving in a predator-prey dynamic for thousands of years. The real threats to Ontario’s moose populations are human-made: habitat loss, climate change, and human hunting, including hunting of calves in particular.

Easing regulations around wolf and coyote hunting, including by removing requirements for reporting and special game seals, and extending the coyote hunting season, is irresponsible and contrary to the Ministry’s mandate to protect our biodiversity. The MNRF should strengthen reporting requirements and enforcement, and ensure it is managing Ontario’s ecosystems in a manner that promotes healthy, sustainable ecosystems.

I urge the government to take urgent action on the real threats to Ontario’s moose population, by protecting moose habitat and ending moose calf hunting in this province. Apex predators such as wolves and coyotes play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and are living, sentient beings that deserve our respect and compassion.