(fe fied ¢a| ANIMAL ALLIANCE, OF CANADA 221 Broadview Ave, Suite 101, “Toronto, Ontario MaM 263 Phone: (416) 462-9541 Facsimile: (416) 462-9647 E-mail: contact@animalalince.ca Website ‘wvanimatliane.ca ‘october 14,2018. ‘Chaeperson and Members, Regional Municipality of Niagare Police Series Board, {68 Church Stet, ‘St Catharines, ON Lar 208 1-905-685-0321 1.905.688.0036 ‘Dear Chairperson and Members ofthe Police Services Board, ‘The purpose of our submission isto seek a resolution toa safety matter iat has occurred on atleast two occasions during the Short ills Provincal Park deer hunt. The 2014 hunt took place over three two day periods: November 2 and 23; November 27 and 28; and December 6 and 7, 2014 Tea the thi such hunt in the park since January 2013, Violation ofthe hunting regulations an safety measures: ‘On December 6, the observers documented thee hunters ening the park ‘on foat with unencased bows and passing through and taking to a group ‘of observers. This was in clear violation of the Fish and Wilfe Regulations which required firearms tobe unloaded and encased for safety reasons wen notin te “immediate area ofthe hunt or bind”. ‘The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Regulations state: 106. (4) Subject to section 114, 0 person who ‘hunts according tothe Actand te regulations ina provincial park may, (a) possess 0firearm forthe purpose of hunting; en (b) possess ony wife thot ‘slegolly led by him or her nthe provincial park. 0. Reg, 65/88, s. 106 (1) (2) The freer referred tin subsection (1) shal ‘remain unloaded and encosed except while the person icin the immodite area of the hunt or the blind, one is used. 0. Reg. 655/98, 8 106 (2). “The Fish and wildlife Conservation Act states that a “firearm includes an air un, pellet gun, bow or crossbow; ("arme a feu"). The purpose of the regulation fto protect public safety and to prevent acclental njres. applies to al hunters regardless of heritage because itis clearly a safety issueIna January 6, 2013 «-mall Mr Salo, Ontario Ministry of Natural Resoures and Forestry wrote to ‘Mr. Willams, representative forthe Haudenosaunee Wildife and Nabitat Authority to express ‘concern about anineldent involving unencased firearms. He stated that there was a "need to ‘ensure compliance,” We cannot tell from the available information whether any ection was taken -Again in 2014, the three hunters with unencased firearms laft the parcin lation ofthe Fish and ‘life Conservation Regulations and despite observer complaints to MNF staff and police, no action was taken Indeed, an MRF otha with police In attendance alowed a member of the pubic to converse with and escort these hunters to thelr vehicles, again with thefrearms unencased. All this happened despite promises gven by the MIRE inthe 2014 Public Notice that “All [Aboriginal harvesters willbe made aware ofthe mandatory traditional harvest safety protocol and ‘will make every effort to ensure a safe and humane harvest ofthe deer." (Appendix #2) conclusion: Since the hunt is proceeding thls year, we are asking the Police Services Board to direct staffto address any further incidents of unencased firearms, requcing them to be encased upon leaving the park Sincerely, ofsaliD Uz White, Director Animal Aliance of CanadaAppendix #1 Pictures of hunters with unencased firearms Jn 2014, the hunters ented the park, mingled withthe observers and crossed the rad to their ‘vehicles with thelr firearms unencased the entire time as the photogrephsilstrate Hunters with unencased firearms conversing with members ofthe publ Hunters with unencased firearms with police presentAppendix it2 NoTIGE Aboriginal Deor Harvest in Short Hills Provincial Park. Hunting is one of the traditional activities of Aboriginal people which is recognized through their Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Ontatio and the local ‘Aboriginal community have come fo an agreement on a traditional deer harvest in Short Hills Provincial Park. Safety isthe primary concom of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MINRF). To provide forthe safety of both the public and the harvesters, a umber of measures will be put in place: ‘+The harvest wil take place November 22 and 23, November 27 and 28, ‘and December 6 and 7. +The harvest wil take place from one half-hour before sunrise to one half- hour after sunset, + Archery willbe the means of harvesting deer. There will be no use of firearms of any kind. + Harvesters will be stationary using ground blinds and tree stands. + Allstands vill be a minimum of 160 metres from the park boundary and tras + Allharvesting activity will ocour within the boundaries of the park excluding buffer areas and safety zones. + During the harvest, the park will be closed, access points will be ‘monitored, and public entry will be prohibited. © MNRE staff will be on site during the harvest, + Notices will be posted at the park entrances, ‘All Aboriginal harvesters will be made aware of the mandatory traditional harvest safety protocol and will make every effort fo ensure a safe and humane harvest of the deer. For safely reasons, during the harvest, wa ask that you do hat enter the park and ‘comply with all posted notices. I you require adaitional information on this Aboriginal harvest, John Salo, Ontario Parks Southwest Zone Manager, 519.873,4616