New Ontario Leps Regulations

[Anthony Cynor]

So the legislation cannot be wiped from the books?  There must be a
procedure for that!  Numbskulls seem to always win, how sad.

Tony

Donald Davis wrote:

> On Saturday, a sometimes noisy meeting of the Toronto Entomologists'
> Association was held at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. Our guest
> speaker outlined the new regulations concerning invertebrates under our
> new Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act. As noted earlier, among the 13
> "specially-protected species" is the monarch.
>
> The speaker indicated that he had received many inquiries from members
> of The Monarch Watch, and stated that they are looking for ways to
> support those who's primary interest in studying insects is as a
> hobbyist/researcher/educator. They are primarily concerned with
> regulating commercial ventures. Their philosophy is that wildlife should
> be left in the wild, and that no one should have the right to do
> whatever they want with wildlife (the example given was embedding
> monarchs on an unlimited basis in plastic).
>
> Unfortunately, when the Act was put together, the list of specially
> protected species was included in the Act, as opposed to being appended
> to the Act as regulations that could be modified. Thus this list will
> not be changed or reviewed until the Act is reviewed - perhaps 3 to 5
> years. The specially protected species are primarily "showy" species,
> including the monarch and all swallowtails (including the black and
> tiger swallowtail).
>
> The speaker was quite frank about the fact that professional and amateur
> entomologists in the province were not consulted. They are quite eager
> to receive suggestions on how to remedy the present situation. They have
> been sent copies of postings from this discussion group have found them
> useful.  These gentlemen, who must administer this Act, are just now
> finding out what entomological activities are carried out in Ontario.
>
> The speaker was severely criticized by some members of the audience for
> the difficulties that have been created for those involved in the study
> of insects in Ontario and the lack of public consultation.
>
> Don Davis
> Toronto, ON
>
> P.S. Guest speaker at the January 22, 2000 meeting of the Toronto
> Entomologists' Association will be Dr. David Gibo, speaking about
> Migration Strategies of Butterflies and Dragonflies. Dr. Gibo has used
> radar and his glider in his studies. The November 27th meeting concerns
> Biological Insect Control and the October 23rd meeting describes
> Butterflies and Dragonflies of Pardise (Sri Lanka).