OTTAWA, July 3, 2007–
The Honourable John Baird, Minister of the
Environment, announced today the appointment
of Wishart Robson to the National Round
Table on the Environment and the Economy
(NRTEE). His appointment is effective immediately.
“Mr. Robson’s knowledge and expertise will
contribute greatly to the work of the National
Round Table on the Environment and the Economy,”
said Minister Baird. “Our Government’s balanced
approach builds on the same foundation of
NRTEE of encouraging innovation to protect
the environment, while ensuring that our
economy continues to grow and prosper.”
NRTEE is dedicated to exploring new opportunities
to integrate environmental conservation
and economic development in order to sustain
Canada’s prosperity and secure its future.
Its mandate has recently been enhanced to
provide advice to Canada’s New Government
on Turning the Corner: An Action Plan to
Reduce Greenhouse Gases and Air Pollution.
NRTEE was created in October 1988 by then
PrimeMinisterBrianMulroney and its independent
role and mandate were enshrined in the National
Round Table on the Environment and Economy
Act. Its members are drawn from distinguished
leaders in business and labour, universities,
environmental organizations, Aboriginal
communities and municipalities.
Eric Richer / Press Secretary / Office of
the Minister of the Environment
+ More
Hunters Fined $15,000 for Hunting Offences
Hanna, Alberta – July 3, 2007 – Five American
hunters were fined $3000 each in Hanna Provincial
Court on Wednesday June 27 for exceeding
daily bag limits for White Fronted Geese,
in violation of the Migratory Birds Regulations.
Hunters Todd Aaron Dailey, William McCall,
John Geshay, Freniel Castillo, and Jason
Rhode are also collectively required to
submit an article to a waterfowl publication
about the offence and the sentence imposed
by the Court.
In March 2007, the five hunters had pleaded
guilty to one count each of exceeding the
daily bag limit of White Fronted Geese,
contrary to Section 7 of the Migratory Bird
Regulations. A sixth hunter in the party
is charged with exceeding the daily and
possession limits of White Fronted Geese,
and trial is set for December 19, 2007 in
Hanna Provincial Court.
Following a joint investigation by Alberta
Fish and Wildlife and Environment Canada
wildlife officers, the six hunters were
found to be in possession of 47 White Fronted
Geese, far in excess of the daily limit
of three each for non-residents of Canada.
Collectively, they were over the daily bag
limit by 24 geese, and in excess of their
total possession limit by 11 geese.
Conservation concerns had prompted Environment
Canada to reduce the daily bag limits for
White Fronted Geese from five to three this
year for non-residents of Canada.
Under the Migratory Birds Convention Act,
1994, the $15,000 fine imposed by the Court
will be allocated to the Environmental Damages
Fund. The Fund, administered by Environment
Canada, provides courts with a way to ensure
that financial penalties are directed to
address environmental damages.
The maximum penalty on summary conviction
for each offence under the Migratory Birds
Convention Act, 1994 is a fine of $300,000,
or six months imprisonment, or both.
Garry Bogdan
Wildlife Enforcement Division
Environment Canada