Independent media needs you. Join the Tyee.

The Hook: Political news, freshly caught

Wolf management will be fully transparent, won't include poison, says minister

The minister of forests, lands and natural resource operations is ruling out the possibility of using poison to kill wolves in British Columbia.

"I hope sort of a short answer to this is, first of all, no," said Steve Thomson, responding to a question from NDP critic Norm Macdonald during debate of the FLNRO budget. "No poisoning is being done."

The draft wolf management plan released in November 2012 didn't contemplate poisoning wolves, he said. "From my perspective, it will not be a tool in the final plan."

The Tyee reported this week that while Thomson has said the government is "transparent" in its approach to wolf management, it has refused to release the most recent version of the wolf management plan. Sources have said the minister is under pressure to reduce wolf numbers and that poisoning was being considered among techniques to do that.

Thomson said the ministry received "a very significant amount of input and comments" during the three weeks of public consultation on the plan in 2012.

"We're currently incorporating all of that input in development and completion of a final plan," he said. "At this point it's in the process of being finalized and will be made public."

He added, "It will be fully transparent."

Andrew MacLeod is The Tyee's Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria. Find him on Twitter or reach him here.


What have we missed? What do you think? We want to know. Comment below. Keep in mind:

Do:

  • Verify facts, debunk rumours
  • Add context and background
  • Spot typos and logical fallacies
  • Highlight reporting blind spots
  • Ignore trolls
  • Treat all with respect and curiosity
  • Connect with each other

Do not:

  • Use sexist, classist, racist or homophobic language
  • Libel or defame
  • Bully or troll
  • Troll patrol. Instead, flag suspect activity.
comments powered by Disqus