HomeMy WebLinkAbout2003-09-08 MinutesMUNICIPALITY OF CLARINGTON
CLARINGTON FIREARMS SAFETY COMMITTEE
Minutes of a meeting of the Clarington Firearms Safety
Committee held on September 8, 2003 at 7:00 PM in
Meeting Room 11C.
Present Were:
Craig Greentree
Greg Farant
John McKelvey
John Almond
Ron Alldred
Tom Vendrasco
Tracy Adams
John Payne
Regrets From:
Gord Robinson
Eric Atkins
Richard Stephenson
MINUTES
1. Tom called the meeting to order at 7:00 pm.
2. Motion to appoint Tom Vendrasco as Co -Chair.
Moved by John Payne seconded by Craig Greentree
3. Tom Vendrasco Co -Chaired the meeting of the Committee.
4. Presentation from John Almond:
Issues before the Clarington Firearms Safety Committee appointed by
Municipal Council relate to both hunting in the municipality as well as
public safety associated with the discharge of firearms. It is important to
distinguish between the two issues especially when it comes to which
agencies have jurisdiction.
Hunting in the province of Ontario is under the mandate of the Ministry of
Natural Resources. Hunting regulations take into considerations both the
safety of hunters and the general public by prescribing such things as
permitted types of firearms and ammunition that can be used to hunt
various species of wildlife.
Clarington Firearms - 2 - September 8, 2003
Committee
Subsection 210(36) of the Ontario Municipal Act empowers municipalities
to enact by-laws that prohibit or regulate the discharge of firearms for the
purpose of public safety. These by-laws are for public safety only and
should not be used to inhibit or restrict legal activities such as hunting
where there is no public safety concern.
Many wildlife populations have increased dramatically in recent years.
MNR is fielding more and more complaints of significant crop damage and
is being pressured by agricultural organizations to reduce populations of
some wildlife. Hunting is a very important tool in the effective control of
wildlife populations.
The province of Ontario is divided into wildlife management units
(WMU's). The Municipality of Clarington falls within the two WMU's.
WMU 72B includes that part of the municipality south of Taunton Road
and west of highway 35/115. The remainder of the municipality falls within
the WMU 73.
Most species that are hunted within Clarington are hunted with shotguns
and archery equipment which has a limited range.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Act provides provisions for landowners
to kill, capture or harass certain species of wildlife to protect their property
from damage. When exercising these provisions a landowner or their
authorized agent may discharge a firearm to kill wildlife.
Ontario hunting incident statistics from 1960-2001, these stats are
reported incidents in which a person has been injured by the discharge of
a firearm or bow outside of home and arising from the activity of hunting.
In 1960 there were 36 hunter deaths and 118 non-fatal incidents reported.
In 2001 there were no hunter fatalities and 7 non-fatal injuries reported.
The tremendous improvement in hunting safety can be attributed in most
part to the fact that all new hunters are required to take Ontario's Hunter
Education Course and pass a written and practical exam.
MNR is not aware of any public safety related issues to discharging of
firearms for hunting within the Municipality of Clarington. No injuries have
been reported in the municipality in recent years. Durham Region Police
has also advised us that there are no present safety issues in the
municipality with respect to the discharging of firearms.
Clarington Firearms - 3 - September 8, 2003
Committee
Landowners who encounter problems with trespassing are encouraged to
report such incidences to local police authorities or MNR who will respond
and lay charges where warranted.
MNR recommend to Committee to make no changes to its existing
firearms discharge by-law.
5. General Discussion
It was suggested that Eric Atkins and Richard Stephenson be made aware
of the Ontario hunting incident statistics. Also the committee would like to
know the reason for Eric Atkins and Richard Stephenson's non-
attendance.
6. Next Meeting
Monday November 17, 2003
7. Adjournment
Moved by Greg Farrant, second by Ron Aldread
CHAIRMAN
SECRETARY