Manitoba government expects to go to court after cancelling limited moose hunt

Manitoba Agriculture Minister Blaine Pedersen is expecting a fightin court after his government extended a ban on moose hunting, he said Friday.

The province's announcement comes a week after the Manitoba Metis Federation said it would permit limited moose hunting forMtis harvesters, after a nine-year hiatus.

"I believe the Manitoba MetisFederation wants to go to court over this," Pedersen said.

"People winor lose in court, but what's going tohappen here is the moose is going to lose. They want to kill more moose, and that is not good for themoosepopulation."

The government said Friday it would extend the moosehunting moratorium in certain areas of the province for another year, sayingthe moose population hasn'trecovered to the extent the province wanted.

In 2011, Manitoba banned moose harvesting inthe Duck and Porcupine Mountain areas, as well as sections ofnorth Interlake and Turtle Mountain.

The Manitoba Metis Federation, though, says moose populations have grown since then, to the pointsome regions can be reopened to Mtis hunters.

"We know there's no chance of extinction here," MMFpresident David Chartrandsaid.

Province changed its mind

The province was planning to offer a limited interim hunt in theDuck and Porcupine Mountain areas this year of up to 60 moose for Indigenous peoples, but changed its mind with Friday's announcement.

Chartrandaccused the government of disregarding the constitutional rights of Indigenous and Mtis hunters.

The province is trying to restrict them becausenon-Indigenous hunters are notafforded the same rights, said Chartrand, explaining the MMFmay pursue legal action.

"We have a right [to hunt] there's a big difference," hesaid. "We have aright, nota privilege."

The MMF said it still plans to go ahead with a managed Mtishunt.

Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs Grand Chief Arlen Dumas said the provincial government is acting without properly consulting Indigenous peoples.

"We're seeing an infringement of jurisdiction and lack of any kind of understanding of what consulting and accommodating really means."

The government also announced stronger enforcement forthose who violate night-hunting laws, which will take effect on Saturday.

Pedersen said more officers wouldbe involved and aerial surveillance effortsincreased.

Liberal Leader DougaldLamont accused the government ofplaying up racial tropes of Indigenous peoples being criminals.

"This government is doubling down on what are essentially racist dog whistles," he said.

The NDP's Wab Kinewquestioned the province for changing its tune after saying60 moose in the areas can beharvested.

"All of a sudden this government says, 'Nope, no one can have any moose now all of a sudden?'" Kinew said.

"I think the real reason that they're trying to do this is because they want to stir up anger. They want to foment resentment, but, at the end of the day, it's to distract from the fact that they don't want to hire enough conservation officers todo the important work of co-managing the hunt here in Manitoba."

Manitoba government extends ban on moose hunting

4 years ago

Duration 0:18

The Manitoba government is extending a ban on moose hunting and today Agriculture Minister Blaine Pedersen said he's ready for a fight.