April 7, 1998
(Forest Resources and Agrifoods)

The following statement was issued today by Kevin Aylward, Minister of Forest Resources and Agrifoods. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

Today it is with great pleasure that I announce this government's decision to implement hunting regulations which will benefit persons with disabilities in our province. These regulations are specifically targeted at those with permanent mobility and vision impairments who because of their disability are not able to participate in a big game hunting experience. The objective of these regulations will be to provide a mechanism whereby individuals with permanent mobility and vision impairments can meet the training pre-requisite to big game licensing and participate to the greatest degree possible in hunting activity.

My department is preparing regulations and they will be ready for 1999-2000 big game draw. Because the application deadline has already passed for the upcoming season's big game draw and the regulations are not yet in place, these provisions cannot be implemented for this fall's season.

In making this announcement I must recognize the sincere and committed efforts of the MHA from Grand Falls - Buchans Anna Thistle who, along with the Central Newfoundland Coalition of Persons with Disabilities, officials from my department and others, worked on the development of these regulations. I would also like to recognize the efforts of Russell Rogers, who is present in the Gallery today. Mr. Rogers has been a driving force behind the efforts to make provisions for disabled persons to take part in the annual big game hunt. Mr. Rogers is joined today with his family and Garland and Linda Stuckless of the Exploits Disability Association. Mr. Stuckless is also chairman of the Central Newfoundland Coalition of Disability Organizations.

The first component of this new initiative will involve the mandatory provincial training program which is required by hunters as a pre-requisite to licensing. Work will begin immediately to ensure that there are no barriers within the Firearm Safety/Hunter Education course that would prevent legally blind or mobility impaired persons from completing it as a pre-requisite to applying for a big game licence.

Another significant provision of this initiative is a hunter assisted program, which will allow a person with one of these disabilities to designate a shooter. In the case of persons with permanent mobility impairments, he or she may if they so wish legally assign another qualified hunter to shoot a big game animal. In the case of persons who are legally blind, he or she must assign another qualified hunter to shoot a big game animal. Under both situations, the person with the disability must accompany the designated shooter to the greatest degree possible. You will notice that I refer to must and may. This distinction is made to recognize the fact that many permanently mobility impaired persons already can and do harvest their own big game animals. Further details on this hunter assisted program will be made available once officials from my department have had a chance to put the appropriate administrative process in place.

In developing these regulations, this government has had to be sensitive to the needs of the disabled communities without jeopardizing the integrity of our very successful wildlife management programs. This includes implications to the resource, human safety concerns and the fair and equal treatment of all hunters. I can say here today that these concerns have been considered and incorporated into this new initiative. These regulations recognize the desire of the province's disabled groups for inclusion rather than exemption and in no way jeopardize the safety of existing hunters.