The issue of American guides bringing their guests into Canadian waters has reached the desk of the province’s new Natural Resources Minister.
American fishing guides can obtain a work permit and guide anglers into Canadian waters.
However, Canadian guides have been denied from taking their customers into the American side of the border waters.
Fort Frances Mayor Andrew Hallikas raised the issue during last week’s meeting of the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) in Thunder Bay.
Mike Harris did not attend, but Hallikas posed a question to the Minister of Environment, Conservation and Parks, Todd McCarthy.
Hallikas says that led to a call from Harris this week.
“We had an excellent conversation,” says Hallikas.
“I talked to at length about the situation here in Fort Frances and on Rainy Lake and Lake of the Woods. He was very interested.”
Hallikas says Harris was very interested in learning more about the issue, so he provided information about a local fishing guide and camp owner.
The Fort Frances Mayor says Harris committed to following up.
A coalition formed recently involving communities and the tourist industry to lobby the federal and provincial governments for action.
“This is a glaring loophole in our border security. We don’t know how many people enter Canada on these permits, what they are doing, what they are bringing in and who they are.” As well, (American) anglers use Canadian resources and do not contribute to the Canadian economy in any way. So this is to the detriment of Canadian fishing guides and Canadian camp and resort owners.”
Hallikas says they would like to see stronger enforcement to ensure rules are being followed.
