Proposed Changes to Seniors Licenses

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Text Box 5: Potential introduction of senior citizens fishing licences
At present, Ontario and Canadian residents aged 65 and older fish for free in Ontario. This practice is inconsistent with other public licensing systems in the province such as driver’s licences, pilot’s licences, camping fees and hunting licences.
Without licence requirements there are inequities, gaps in the ministry’s information regarding harvest, and the number of seniors that fish. Ontario is also the only Great Lake province or state in which resident senior citizens can fish for free.
The Harris/Decima survey demonstrated very strong support for introducing a discounted licence for seniors. MNR is therefore proposing (Table 2) a discounted Seniors Conservation Fishing Licence and a discounted Seniors Sport Fishing Licence at 80 per cent of the standard fee.
No changes are proposed to the requirement for non-Canadian residents aged 65 and older who currently must purchase an Outdoors Card and a regular-priced fishing licence.
Table 2: Proposed changes to fishing licences for Ontario and Canadian residents aged 65 and older, based on Non-tax Revenue Guiding Principles.
Proposed Change
Rationale based on Non-tax Revenue Guiding Principles
Require Ontario and Canadian resident recreational anglers aged 65 and older to have a valid Outdoors Card and either a discounted Seniors Conservation or discounted Seniors Sport Fishing Licence
• Fair charges: Introducing a paid licence for seniors more fairly values the benefits of the fisheries resource. The fee will go from no charge to a discounted licence fee. Harris/Demica survey results demonstrated that 62 per cent of Ontario’s current fishing licencees are supportive of this proposal.
• Reflects management costs: Introducing a seniors’ licence provides more complete information on the harvest of fisheries resources, and therefore facilitates program planning and contact with those aged 65 and over.
Licence type
Current Requirement
2016 Proposed Annual
Discounted Licence Fees
Example: At 80 per cent of standard licence price, based on 2014 prices
Ontario Seniors Conservation Fishing Licence – One Year
$0.00
Example: $13.17 plus
Outdoors Card ($9.68)1
Ontario Seniors Sports Fishing
Licence – One Year
$0.00
Example: $23.11 plus
Outdoors Card ($9.68)1
1 The Outdoors Card is valid for three years.
Regular cost of an Ontario Conservation Licence is $16.46 plus an Outdoors Card $9.68
Regular cost of an Ontario Sport Fishing Licence is $28.89 plus an Outdoors Card $9.68
Regular cost of a Canadian Conservation Licence is $32.13 plus an Outdoors Card $9.68
Regular cost of a Canadian Sport Fishing Licence is $54.03 plus an Outdoors Card $9.68

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http://www.mnr.gov.on.ca/stdprodconsume/...110525.pdf

All the new proposals are laid out in the following document.

Let the complaining begin!!!!!

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When licenses fees were first introduced they were stated to be implemented to improve fish stocking and fish habitat rehabilitation. The fees were not to pay for running the MNR they were for enhancements. The document above does not address this in any truthful manner but instead implies we need to pay for the MNR. The MNR should be funded by our general taxes.