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OPSEU says report echoes concerns it has expressed on many occasions
Toronto (16 Dec. 2007) - The latest report by Ontario's auditor general reinforces longstanding concerns expressed by the Ontario Public Service Employees Union (OPSEU/NUPGE) on behalf of workers at the ministry of natural resources.
Echoing warnings the union has sounded on many occasions, auditor James McCarter says the province has been unable to provide adequate protection of fish and wildlife and has failed to enforce related provincial laws.
“This is no surprise at all to our members,” says OPSEU President Warren (Smokey) Thomas. “This backs up what the union has been saying for years, that the ministry is grossly underfunded and unable to fulfil its mandate or to protect our resources.”
Thomas said the report "also confirms the findings" of provincial environmental commissioner Gord Miller earlier this year.
"Notwithstanding the recent modest increase in funding, this ministry needs to step it up and inject more funding on a broad basis, so our members can do their jobs and protect our fish and wildlife," Thomas adds. "We call on the government to do what needs to be done." NUPGE
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