Trapping of wolves and other furbearing animals in Quebec’s wildlife reserves

 


Mr. Pierre Corbeil
Minister for Forests,Wildlife and Parks
5700, 4ième Avenue Ouest
Bureau A-308
Charlesbourg, Qc, Canada
G1H 6R1
pierre.corbeil@mrnfp.gouv.qc.ca
cc: info@clanloups.com

Trapping of wolves and other furbearing animals in Quebec’s wildlife reserves

Dear Minister Corbeil,

In 1984, the Government of Quebec gave in to the powerful lobby then representing 21,000 trappers by lifting the ban on trapping in wildlife reserves. Since then, the number of trappers has declined by 62%, and trappers now account for a mere 0.11% of Quebec’s total population.

In Quebec, the trapping of 19 animal species including wolves is allowed on 1,490,444 km2, or over 98% of the Quebec’s territory, for 16 consecutive weeks. Last year, trappers killed more than 200,000 wild animals, not including protected species that were killed after being caught.

Moreover, civil servants employed by the Minister of Natural Resources, Wildlife and Parks (biologists, wildlife technicians, and wildlife officers) hold “lifelong, exclusive” rights to trapping territories on wildlife reserves. Whether government employees or not, trappers derive considerable income from trapping, which clearly sets them apart from hunters. Consequently, a government employee could be in a position of having to choose between personal interest and public interest.

Lastly, trapping in Quebec’s wildlife reserves is a privilege that was granted within a social, cultural, and economic context very different from that of today.

Consequently, I urge the Government of Quebec to ban all trapping in Quebec’s wildlife reserves, as was the case before 1984. Such a decision would be in tune with current views and beliefs concerning wolves and other furbearing animals held by Quebecers and Quebec’s many international visitors.

Please notify me of your position and approach concerning this issue of international importance.

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