I live close to Lake Ontario…

I live close to Lake Ontario and Humber River. We consider cormorants as iconic birds to our area, hardly nuisance birds. I am asking that the Ontario government begin to listen to the deep widespread concerns about the well being of our wildlife.

Bill 205 is not evidence-based but a product of deliberate misinformation. If passed it will facilitate the slaughter of cormorants across the province and drive them back to the brink of extinction. Then of course there will be a need for urgent measures to bring them back again. This seems to be historically what we do with so many species.

The hunting industry takes advantage of pockets of ignorance, and irrational hatred or fear of certain species. How is it that the small percentage who enjoy recreational killing determine wildlife policy and law? Cormorants do not threaten native fish populations, and have become primary predators of invasive fish species. In fact cormorants support rich biodiversity wherever they maintain significant colonies ..At this time, colonies use less than 1% of the Great Lakes basins.

It is time for governments everywhere to stop hunter-driven destruction of wildlife and ecosystems. Perhaps not many people will take the time to write letters in these situations. However in mainstream and on social media public opinion strongly opposes this relentless, mindless killing.