Veterans of all ages can now fish in Ontario without a license.
As of January 1st, all veterans and active Canadian Armed Forces members living in Ontario can enjoy recreational fishing across the province without having to purchase a fishing licence.
Recreational fishing is a $2.2 billion industry in Ontario and an important tradition in the lives of many. With this regulatory change, all Canadian Armed Forces members whether retired or still serving, can maximize their time on the water, and ice, by fishing all year round at no cost.
John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry spoke to My Parry Sound Now said that the province aims to have this initiative permanently in place.
“The reality is when you live a military life, it’s not an easy one and this is a convenient way of saying we respect and admire what you do. If you want to take the family out on Sunday morning, you can go fish,” he said
Yakabuski said that veterans and active military will be required to carry their identification from Veterans Affairs while out fishing so that enforcement is made aware of veteran status.
The province says it is aiming to support veterans in the coming year by consulting on a new hotline for military families moving to the province, ensuring Ontario Legion halls are exempt from paying property tax and plans to build a memorial that honours heroes of the war in Afghanistan on the grounds of the Ontario Legislature.
Yakabuski mentioned that senior citizens are also able to fish recreationally without a license.
