Mark Inky, M.P., the Member for Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, has introduced Bill C-222, the An Act to protect Canada's hunting, trapping and fishing heritage (or, as Section 1 would have it cited, the Heritage Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Protection Act) in the House of Commons. If passed, such an Act would enshrine the rights to hunting, trapping and fishing in the Statutes of Canada.
The Act attempts to take on a form such as that of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, where its Section 2(2) would enact that no piece of legislation in Canada could be construed so as to place restrictions on one's right to engage in fishing, whereas Section 3 would initiate conversations between the provinces and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in relation to the continued right to hunt and trap.
Click here to read the entire bill in English.
Cliquetez içi pour lire le project de loi entier en français.
:arrow: My Opinion
I am sort of at two places on this piece of legislation. In principle, I think it's a good idea — to secure the rights of persons to engage in activities which are so often used, in the correct context, to make a living and support themselves and their loved ones. However, I would suggest that there would be those who would jump on an Act such as this in attempts to abuse the rights that it would confer upon citizens.
I have some reservations, in particular, in relation to Section 2(2) of the bill; I think that it could cause disagreement and argument to arise if, and when, the Government of Canada, for some reason or another, would deem it appropriate or necessary to put some sort of restriction on fishing. I would think it quite likely that some would attempt to overrule the Government through the Courts, if they were attempt to impose restrictions, or quotas, or anything of the like, after a bill such as this were enacted.
:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Parliament of Canada.
The Act attempts to take on a form such as that of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, where its Section 2(2) would enact that no piece of legislation in Canada could be construed so as to place restrictions on one's right to engage in fishing, whereas Section 3 would initiate conversations between the provinces and the Minister of Canadian Heritage, in relation to the continued right to hunt and trap.
Click here to read the entire bill in English.
Cliquetez içi pour lire le project de loi entier en français.
:arrow: My Opinion
I am sort of at two places on this piece of legislation. In principle, I think it's a good idea — to secure the rights of persons to engage in activities which are so often used, in the correct context, to make a living and support themselves and their loved ones. However, I would suggest that there would be those who would jump on an Act such as this in attempts to abuse the rights that it would confer upon citizens.
I have some reservations, in particular, in relation to Section 2(2) of the bill; I think that it could cause disagreement and argument to arise if, and when, the Government of Canada, for some reason or another, would deem it appropriate or necessary to put some sort of restriction on fishing. I would think it quite likely that some would attempt to overrule the Government through the Courts, if they were attempt to impose restrictions, or quotas, or anything of the like, after a bill such as this were enacted.
:?: Sources
1. Click here for the Web site of the Parliament of Canada.
