The spring bear hunt could return if a provincial bill can collect support at Queen’s Park.
Bill Mauro (Lib., Thunder Bay-Atikokan) introduced a private member's bill Tuesday that would bring back the hunt from Apr. 15 to June 15. Mauro's bill had originally left out mention of the spring bear hunt in order to open up discussion on expanding bear hunts.
But after consulting with legislative researchers, that would have only resulted in policy or regulatory changes.
"I went with that advice," Mauro said. "We just felt it was the best way to move this forward."
Mauro said bringing back the hunt would reduce the amount of human and bear interactions, help protect crops and livestock, help the North's moose population and boost the economy.
As for support from other parties, Mauro said it might be there. And with a minority government, that means more opportunity to get support from PC or NDP members.
The Progressive Conservatives are looking into whether bringing back the hunt should be part of its election platform. Mauro said he hasn't seen the PC plans yet.
"To this day I have no idea what it is that they've suggested or what it is they'd do," he said. "It really doesn't mean anything at this point."
Mauro said with a new administration and Premier in Ontario it was time to see if there would be support for the hunt's return.
