Ontario Outdoors Recreational Alliance (OntORA)

POSITION PAPER AND ACTION RESOLUTION

WHEREAS:  The Ontario Government through the Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR) has designated hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of pristine Ontario Crown lands and thousands of major lakes for "remote tourism", rendering such vast areas and major lakes, with its numerous traditional uses, virtually inaccessible to the average Ontario citizen, and….

WHEREAS:  Ordinary citizens are legally prosecuted and heavily fined by the MNR for "trespassing" on such public lands if they walk or use any type of motor or muscle power vehicle on the thousands of kilometers of such designated bush roads, and….

WHEREAS: These de facto Government subsidized "private game and fish farms" on public lands are in fact creating a discriminatory, two-class system of natural resources accessibility and traditional use by citizens,

BE IT THEREFORE RESOLVED:

1)      That NORA and various groups fighting for equal access rights to Crown lands amalgamate as one entity with affiliation to the Ontario Federation of Labour and its member unions, and to kindred outdoors alliances and/or partnerships across North America.

2)      That the new amalgamated organization be renamed to have a more inclusive title which may appeal to a wider membership. Now renamed Ontario Outdoors Recreational Alliance. (OntORA)

3)      That the new organization (OORA) adopt the following singular plan of action: by political lobbying, by enlisting new members from the labour unions as well as from the public at large and by positive publicity, to encourage all Ontario residents to end this two-class system of discrimination.  Encourage citizens to demand equal access to our Crown lands to use and enjoy the natural resources and pristine beauty of Ontario forests and lakes, owned by all residents of Ontario, but now reserved solely for an elite group.

4)      That a Board of Directors and Officers be elected at the next general meeting.

5)      That the various area or regional outdoors, Rod & Gun and Fish & Game Clubs be solicited to join as affiliates, but that such Clubs retain their local independence and direction and conduct their own affairs as they see fit.

6)      That, within 30 days of taking office, the newly elected Board of Directors be charged with the development of a precise issue description and statement of objectives of the new organization, and within 60 days, a revised constitution.

As a great North American conservationist and political leader once said: "We do not intend that our natural resources shall be exploited by the few against the interest of the many.  Our aim is to preserve our natural resources for the public as a whole, for the average man and woman…"