OTTAWA , October 25, 2007
- Canada's Environment Minister John Baird
today issued the following statement on
the release of the United Nations Environment
Program's 4th Global Environment Outlook
(GEO-4) Report:
"Canada welcomes the 4th Global Environmental
Outlook Report published by the United Nations
Environment Program. This report confirms
that Canada's Government is on the right
track as it identifies that climate change,
energy usage and clean accessible water
are some of the key challenges facing North
America."
"Our Turning the Corner action plan,
announced in April and reinforced in the
Speech from the Throne, is a balanced and
realistic plan that will see an absolute
20% reduction in Greenhouse Gases by 2020,
and up to a 50% reduction to industrial
air pollution by 2015. We have also committed
to cleaning up our major lakes and improve
access to safe drinking water for First
Nations."
"The Government understands the links
that the report draws between the environment,
the health of Canadians, and the economy.
We are working hard every day to make sure
Canadians enjoy a healthy environment and
a strong economy. Internationally, we continue
to work hard with our partners to fight
climate change, and are working forcefully
through the United Nations process to ensure
that global environmental priorities are
addressed."
For more information about 4th Global Environment
Outlook, including a copy of the report,
visit the United Nations Environment Programme
website at: www.unep.org.
Eric Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Illegal Baiting for Migratory Birds Nets
Large Fines for Hunters in Newfoundland
St. John's, NL, October 26, 2007 -An in-depth
investigation by Environment Canada's Wildlife
Enforcement Division into the illegal baiting
of migratory birds and the use of electronic
calls for the purpose of hunting migratory
birds has resulted in convictions and fines
for four New Wes Valley hunters.
On October 15, 2007, Mr. Glenn Mouland,
37; Mr. Carl Hillier, 43; Mr. Lawrence Winter,
53; and Mr. Michael Boland, 35, appeared
in Gander provincial court, to face charges
laid by Wildlife Enforcement Officers under
the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
They were convicted for contravening subsection
14(1) of the Migratory Birds Regulations
by hunting migratory game birds within 400
meters of a place where bait was deposited,
and paragraph 15(1)(c) of the Migratory
Bird Regulations by hunting migratory game
birds by the use or aid of a recorded bird
call.
Each hunter received a $1,000 fine for
violating subsection 14(1) and a $500 fine
for violating paragraph 15(1)(c). All four
have also been prohibited from hunting or
being in the company of anyone hunting migratory
birds for one year. In addition, four shotguns,
two electronic bird callers, a large quantity
of shot shells and duck and goose decoys
were ordered forfeited to the Crown. Two
all-terrain vehicles that were seized will
be returned after the fines have been paid
in full.
Conservation Officers from the Government
of Newfoundland and Labrador provided assistance
in this investigation, which took place
in the area of Ragged Harbour River. The
Canadian Food Inspection Agency conducted
an analysis of the corn bait for court purposes.
Hunters are reminded to adhere to the regulations
in the Migratory Birds Convention Act, 1994.
These regulations can be found on the Internet
at www.cws-scf.ec.gc.ca/legislations.
The inland waterfowl season in Newfoundland
and Labrador runs from Saturday, September
15, 2007 to Saturday, December 29, 2007.
Ken Tucker
Wildlife Officer, Newfoundland and Labrador
Wildlife Enforcement Division
