Preamble: For the 2008 fishing season resident Manitobans age 16-64 years had to pay $19.83 for a regular license or $13.94 for a “conservation license.” (A conservation license entitles the holder to the same rights as a Regular License holder except for reduced limits for some species: four walleye/sauger, four pike, one lake trout, one channel catfish, two small mouth bass and two stocked trout. Limits for other species remain the same.) 

Resolution: That the Government of Manitoba provide all non-residents with a Manitoba fishing license at the same cost as Manitoba residents.

Resolution Report:  

The Manitoba Chambers of Commerce produces Resolution reports as part of its commitment to be accountable to its members. The reports are updated as matters unfold and have two components:

MCC Advocacy: Specific activities the MCC has done to help make this Resolution a reality. 

Developments:  All other information (e.g. government action, media coverage, reports) that relates to Resolution. 

Advice, comments, and information sharing are welcome; simply enter a reply at the bottom of this post.

MCC Advocacy: 

May 11, 2010: The 2010-2011 Resolutions were posted on the MCC website, listed as part of a comprehensive Report on AGM 2010 and then notice of this story was circulated through the MCC E-Update is sent to all MCC members, Media and Government.

June 16, 2010: Resolution books were sent to every MLA and every Member of Parliament that hails from Manitoba. The following had this Resolution specifically drawn to their attention with a detailed letter setting out the background to this issue, Government initiatives (where applicable), and an argument for the Resolution:

• The Minister of Conservation
• The Minister of Water Stewardship
• The Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism  

Developments:

August 25, 2010: The Honourable Bill Blaikie, Minister of Conservation, wrote to the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce on this matter. This is what he said:

“Manitoba’s recreational angling licensing policy is similar to most other jurisdictions in Canada. With the exception of Ontario and Alberta, all provinces require other Canadian residents and international visitors to purchase some type of non-resident licence. Quebec and the Maritime provinces treat all nonresidents similarly (Canadian or not) while British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Manitoba have separate Canadian non-resident licenses with lower fees. In Manitoba, these fees support the various fisheries management programs and ensure that diverse and quality angling opportunities are offered to residents and visitors to our province. 

Current angling licence fees in Manitoba are well within the range of those being charged to other Canadian residents by other provinces. Many jurisdictions have fees significantly higher than Manitoba. As such, our fees encourage participation in angling, while at the same time result in valued economic benefits to our Province.”