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10-13-2006, 08:52 AM
Speaking Notes
Ted Morton, MLA
Thursday October 12, 2006
Check against delivery
Morton Will Revoke Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement.
I would like to announce today that one of the first acts that I will take as Premier is to revoke the Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement (IMHA) of October, 2004. By allowing virtually unrestricted year-round hunting and fishing for 28,000 Albertans with Métis ancestry, the IMHA will undermine Alberta’s world-class fish and game conservation policies. It also introduces a dangerous policy of extending rights based on race, something Albertans have always rejected in favour of equal rights for all, regardless of race, colour or creed. The IMHA allows either party to revoke the Agreement by giving 60 days notice. I would do so immediately.
The Government of Alberta entered into the Interim Métis Harvesting in October, 2004 in virtual secrecy. There was no consultation with Alberta hunters, anglers and conservationists, and virtually no consultation with the Government Caucus or the Legislative Assembly. To add insult to injury, the details of this agreement were kept secret until after the provincial election in November, 2004.
When the negative policy impact of the IMHA began to be seen during the winter of 2005—trophy big horn sheep shot in their easily accessible winter grazing areas, pregnant cow moose shot alongside roads—hundreds of complaints poured into the Legislature. I was one of many Tory MLAs who denounced this new “kill anything, anytime, anywhere” policy and we got results. An MLA Committee was struck, and it recommended sweeping changes that would reverse most of the worst aspects of the IMHA.
Unfortunately, these recommendations have not yet been implemented, and there is little prospect that they will be anytime soon. The entire IMHA was declared unconstitutional by a judge in May, and the Métis Nation has vowed to appeal this decision all the way to the Supreme Court. This means not months but years before there will be any legal resolution.
Alberta cannot afford to wait. Our game and fish conservation laws are among the best in the world. We have made great strides in protecting and preserving our sheep, elk, moose, bear and caribou populations through carefully regulated hunting seasons and zones. Local fish and game associations have played an important role in rebuilding our walleye fisheries, fisheries that the province is protecting with new catch-release and lottery tag programs. All this is at risk if we leave the IMHA in place.
Game and fish conservation is a central part of sustainable environmental practices. I will not allow Alberta’s achievement and reputation as a world leader in conservation to be destroyed by this ill-conceived Agreement. I want to ensure that the opportunities for enjoying Alberta’s wildlife are there for future generations of Albertans and visitors to Alberta.
To this end, as Premier I will immediately give the required 60 day notice of intent to revoke the agreement. Once it is revoked, I will work to implement the recommendations of the MLA Committee report.
Ted Morton, MLA
Thursday October 12, 2006
Check against delivery
Morton Will Revoke Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement.
I would like to announce today that one of the first acts that I will take as Premier is to revoke the Interim Métis Harvesting Agreement (IMHA) of October, 2004. By allowing virtually unrestricted year-round hunting and fishing for 28,000 Albertans with Métis ancestry, the IMHA will undermine Alberta’s world-class fish and game conservation policies. It also introduces a dangerous policy of extending rights based on race, something Albertans have always rejected in favour of equal rights for all, regardless of race, colour or creed. The IMHA allows either party to revoke the Agreement by giving 60 days notice. I would do so immediately.
The Government of Alberta entered into the Interim Métis Harvesting in October, 2004 in virtual secrecy. There was no consultation with Alberta hunters, anglers and conservationists, and virtually no consultation with the Government Caucus or the Legislative Assembly. To add insult to injury, the details of this agreement were kept secret until after the provincial election in November, 2004.
When the negative policy impact of the IMHA began to be seen during the winter of 2005—trophy big horn sheep shot in their easily accessible winter grazing areas, pregnant cow moose shot alongside roads—hundreds of complaints poured into the Legislature. I was one of many Tory MLAs who denounced this new “kill anything, anytime, anywhere” policy and we got results. An MLA Committee was struck, and it recommended sweeping changes that would reverse most of the worst aspects of the IMHA.
Unfortunately, these recommendations have not yet been implemented, and there is little prospect that they will be anytime soon. The entire IMHA was declared unconstitutional by a judge in May, and the Métis Nation has vowed to appeal this decision all the way to the Supreme Court. This means not months but years before there will be any legal resolution.
Alberta cannot afford to wait. Our game and fish conservation laws are among the best in the world. We have made great strides in protecting and preserving our sheep, elk, moose, bear and caribou populations through carefully regulated hunting seasons and zones. Local fish and game associations have played an important role in rebuilding our walleye fisheries, fisheries that the province is protecting with new catch-release and lottery tag programs. All this is at risk if we leave the IMHA in place.
Game and fish conservation is a central part of sustainable environmental practices. I will not allow Alberta’s achievement and reputation as a world leader in conservation to be destroyed by this ill-conceived Agreement. I want to ensure that the opportunities for enjoying Alberta’s wildlife are there for future generations of Albertans and visitors to Alberta.
To this end, as Premier I will immediately give the required 60 day notice of intent to revoke the agreement. Once it is revoked, I will work to implement the recommendations of the MLA Committee report.