I was very interested to read the recent letter from Mr. Michael Burgess quoting positions that he claims are supported by the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation (SWF). I would like to take this opportunity to clarify the SWF’s positions on those issues.
I must first apologize as I do not remember ever meeting with Mr. Burgess in any discussion or forum on any of these issues as he stated.
The SWF has researched many programs from other jurisdictions focused at compensating landowners and continue to support the establishment of an Ecological Goods and Services (EG&S) program in Saskatchewan. Actually, in March 2009 the SWF co-hosted an EG&S conference in Regina with the Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan, Delta Waterfowl and Ducks Unlimited. There were over 100 attendees from the ag community, government and conservation organizations in attendance.
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We are confident that we will see a pilot project in Saskatchewan in the very near future because of those efforts.
As far as who owns the wildlife in Saskatchewan, the Natural Resources Transfer Agreement of 1930 consigned wildlife resources in Saskatchewan and the responsibility for the management of those resources to the people of Saskatchewan.
This is one of the strongest arguments favouring the establishment of an EG&S program in our province. Interestingly, this argument was also used in 1953 when the then Saskatchewan Fish and Game League convinced the government of the day to establish the Wildlife Crop Damages Insurance Program, one of the first in North America.
We certainly agree with Mr. Burgess that society, through government, should be recognizing the ecological goods and services provided by ranchers and other landowners and we continue to work toward that goal.
Darrell Crabbe, Executive Director,
Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation,
Moose Jaw, Sask.
