| OFAH FILE: 842 | For Immediate Release |
Auditor General got it right and wrong
When the provincial Auditor General released his Annual Report last December, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.) agreed with his finding that underfunding of the Ministry of Natural Resources (M.N.R.) Fish and Wildlife Program is preventing it from fulfilling its mandate. However, the O.F.A.H. is challenging the auditor on a number of statements within that same report that unfairly and erroneously discredit hunters and anglers.
“The Auditor General’s report does a serious disservice to the highly significant contributions Ontario’s anglers and hunters make to fish and wildlife management. Hunters and anglers were among the founders of the wildlife conservation model in North America a hundred years ago and that leadership continues today in conservation initiatives all across the province,” said Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager, Fish & Wildlife Services. “For the Auditor to infer that hunters are recklessly over-hunting, or that anglers raising fish is risky, is simply wrong.”
The O.F.A.H. recently completed its analysis of the 28-page audit, and found many inaccuracies, some of which were based on faulty information that the O.F.A.H. could have corrected, M.N.R. reporting errors, and insufficient knowledge of the science of wildlife management. The Federation has sent its response to the Auditor General, with a copy to the Minister of Natural Resources.
“As partners in fish and wildlife conservation management, we’re encouraging the Auditor General to consult directly with us in any future reviews of M.N.R.’s Fish and Wildlife Program,” added Dr. Quinney.
With over 83,000 members and 655 member clubs, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters is the leading fishing, hunting and conservation organization in Ontario. For more information, or to view the O.F.A.H. response to the Auditor General’s report, visit www.ofah.org.
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Contact
| Dr. Terry Quinney Provincial Manager of Fish & Wildlife Services (705) 748-6324 |
Lezlie Goodwin O.F.A.H. Communications Coordinator (705) 748-6324 |
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