History
1940's-Fish and Wildlife as it was known was well respected; the actions of a few were greatly respected during WW2....the key...leadership that was understood in a time of crisis (this is where the actions of one man led to the saving of the Aurora trout)
1950's-substantial cash was spent given the return of WW2 vets; very well respected with very few public relations blunders (managers were by and large returning WW2 vets with substantial experience in the day to day dealings with people....and getting the job done); only note was the introduction of kokanee into a PE county lake, and "the annilation of whitefish and the beginning of the destruction of a major Lk. trout fishery".....all the result of one person making a bad decision. Overall.....good times for fish and wildlife management.
1960's- interesting times with phosphate concerns in the Gr. Lakes, and inland waterways recieving large stocking totals; great times for backcountry anglers; management of deer, waterfowl populations was the only weak link to note
1970's- this was the last of what I prefer to call "the bronze age"; respect from within the ranks was still intact; stocking, management was solid in the inland system and getting increasing support in the Gr. Lakes; phosphates were slowly reducing, allowing many opportunities for Fisheries Management/MNR; management of waterfowl/ deer, etc. began to improve with population, harvest increases to follow
1980's- this was the period where change began to happen on a number of fronts within MNR. Funding changed and the traditional model, belief structure deterioriated on all fronts; the big change was that a new type of beaurocrat began to emerge.....far different than anything seen....and evolving; management of the Gr. Lakes saw significant and wonderful fishing opportunities......management of waterfowl, deer, etc. was struggling but intact; enforcement was beginning to slip (they remained committed but began to suffer due to a lack the resources, leadership in select areas); policy within MNR began to wain as a new breed of beaurocrat increasingly was in charge making frontline management a secondary priority
1990's-most areas began to be in dissarray within regional offices; the new breed began to have most areas secured by staff that were more preoccupied with "self survival"....and less concern on what the mission statement, fundemantals of MNR were from the 40's and 50's, 60's, 70's, etc. (A sidebar to note was that the people of Manitoulin Island actually wanted to have MNR ousted....in its entirety....and yes....this is factual)
-policy development began to reflect the lack of solid leadership (management fundamental that had existed from the 40's-) combined with the now well entrenched beaurocrat that was seasoned in dealing with unions, management, etc. etc. It was not a happy time. The only glimmer of hope came with Chris Hodgins in charge as Minister of Natural Resources....this changed when his portfolio changed; the saving grace came with a largely unknown group called the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board (representatives from the public......much thought was put into the future direction that this could all take)
2000-present- Regions were by and large on their own with some isolated examples of solid leadership in some select quarters. The relationship with the union combined with mid- senior mangement that was by and large too distanced and too entrenched in the system, that had now changed the face of MNR.. Numerous battles raged across the province largely under the public radar, given the chaotic state, lack of direction. The public no longer regarded this as a provincial or crown operation that was to be taken seriously. A strike by the union saw picketeers at a number of fish hatcheries (run by volunteerws) further fueling the frustration felt by many of us at a distance.....and within.
Budget and government changes compounded the situation.....the recent possible dismantling of the Fish and Wildlife Advisory Board......set a possible dangerous precedent......fall 2003 (this is not good....there needs to be a public board....that is not union or politically appointed )
** Changing this series of events is tricky.....make no mistake. It remains possible and begins from within.
Staff that want to do the right thing regardless of union, management have been put into a very awkward situation. Some have resigned in disgust or quietly bide their time......this needs to change.
Doing so within an organization of many thousand including some real "wild cards" must slowly see some more of the solid staff begin to emerge as leaders or supporters to begin to turn this organization around....not impossible.....just tricky. The staff and management exist to have one of if the the best organization of its type in North America. As it stands.....it is floundering.
(ODG was formed by a few people and created to occasionally emerge and to put forth additional thoughts that were not able to be brought forth; it uses one monicker/person writing, to ensure that all is brought through the same server despite the source)
PS, I do not want to get into figuring out the dollars and cents of the matter.....it can be done.
I admire a number of staff and actions within MNR...make no mistake...I also loath any and all beaurocratic blundering from the very top all the way down to the bottom
Aplogies for having to present this. It is with a heavy heart that this message is presented.
ODG
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