AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION (D), QUESTIONS (Q) ANSWER (A), DECISION (D)

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Bernard Skinner
5 years ago
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1 Location: Participants in Attendance: Absent / Regrets: Bruce Mines Community Center, 9180 Hwy 17, Bruce Mines Robert Routledge (Sault College) Andy Penikett (Restoration Committee) Jody Stefanich (Public) Dale Wedgwood (Municipality of Huron Shores) David Trivers (OMAFRA) Robin Horwath, Chair Wayne Fiset (District Manager, MNRF) Jim Trottier (MNRF) Peggy Wilson (MNRF) Paul Leale, (MNRF) Brad Shewfelt (OFA) Ginny Post (Tourism) Pete Descoteaux (MNRF) Andree Gagnon Kevin Coombs (SJHA) Ken MacLeod (Agriculture) Dana Boyer (MFN) Arden Brock (OFA) Bob Wheeldon (NSAH) Mark Ryckman (OFAH) Meeting opened at 7:00 pm # AGENDA ITEM DISCUSSION (D), QUESTIONS (Q) ANSWER (A), DECISION (D) or ACTION ITEM (I) 1a. Welcome Robin welcomed Wayne Fiset, Pete and Paul. Robin thanked them for the interest they have shown in the committee and the Habitation Creation Project. 1b. Agenda Motion to approve agenda with no additions or deletions. 1 st Andy Penikett 2 nd Dale Wedgwood 2a. Review of Previous Minutes March 23 rd, 2017 Motion to approve Mar. 23 rd, 2017 minutes. 1 st Andy Penikett 2 nd Jody Stefanich 2b. Business Arising from March 23 rd, 2017 minutes. Municipal Meetings Update Peggy explained MNRF has been trying to set a meeting with the City of Elliot Lake and the Municipality of the North Shore. They have not been able to set that up. Habitat Creation Project Update Andy and Peggy participated in the Pipe Ceremony at the site with an elder who was there with Dana. Peggy thanked Dana for arranging to have the ceremony held. It was very nice and it felt special to be a part of it. Robin will contact one of the Elliot Lake councillors.

2 Other action items deferred to further in the agenda. Concerns on Wildlife Diseases There was discussion at the last meeting in regards to concerns of wildlife diseases, especially TB, spreading to cattle or other farm animals. Robert provided a link for the online wildlife disease reports for members to review. 3 EAC Recommendations Update from Wayne Wayne passed on his appreciation for all the hard work and dedication from the committee. Wayne discussed his intent on providing feedback on recommendations that forwarded from the committee. Stated he supports most of the recommendations, but cautioned that 1 or 2 may be more of a challenge. Recommendations were reviewed by Wayne, Robin and Peggy. Wayne was impressed with the work of the committee. He was happy with the work to address conflicts with farmers, good partnership with Sault College, good outreach with First Nation communities, exceptional job doing research and talking to the right people, and thought that the Habitat Creation Project is a good start. Wayne stated that it makes sense to regulate a hunt when appropriate, but advised that this will need to be consulted on and posted on the Environmental Registry. Funding the relocation of elk will be a challenge as the District will be competing with other districts for the same money around the region; will need to find ways to find the funds. Good job at determining population objective. The challenge will be proposing management at the sub herd level and getting money to fund relocation. Robin suggested that it is no different than managing other animals at the WMU. Wayne suggested that the committee work to better explain the rational. Describing each sub-herd by density and relating it to the WMU philosophy might be a compelling argument. Wayne suggested that we might be able to look into requesting transfer payments for some of the work, but the recipient must be an incorporated entity. It was also suggested that the committee talk with the Sudbury Elk Committee as they are an established group who are good at raising money through fundraising initiatives. They raise approx. $100,000 / year. It would be beneficial to have a joint meeting to explore ideas. Robin suggested that Paul set up a meeting with the Sudbury Group. Robin also asked if we might be able to save $$ on elk surveys by using drones, and Jim to start the Environmental Registry posting process. Committee to rationalize sub-herd philosophy and update recommendations. Set up meeting with Sudbury Committee. Peggy will look into who could apply for transfer payments.

3 asked if the Sudbury Committee is using the technology. Wayne indicated that the next step will be to post the decision notice for the Population Objective on the Environmental Registry. Brad suggested partnering with Northern Tourism. He mentioned that he spoke with them about new infrastructure being built in support of elk / tourism opportunities. Peggy explained to Brad that the committee has talked about potential tourism opportunities that might come with having elk in the area (e.g. viewing areas), however have not suggested that new infrastructure will result from these opportunities. Ginny explained that at first, with conflicts between farming and elk on the landscape, local tourism establishments did not want to go forward with promoting tourism opportunities. However, now the new habitat site could have potential as a viewing area. David mentioned that he attended a wildlife strategy meeting and that elk were not mentioned. He suggested that OMAFRA and MNRF need to push internally for higher priority within ministries. Robin thanked Wayne for attending, and for his commitment to the committee s work as well as for his effort and time towards looking for ongoing funding opportunities. 4 Elk Update Jim explained there hasn t been a lot to report since the last meeting. There was one road kill, a young bull, on highway 17 near Neebish Road two or three weeks ago. Hasn t been an update on locations. Brad stated that at a recent OFA meeting, there were five questions about disease/animal health for which he was asked to seek answers from MNRF. He has requested time on the next meeting agenda to review the questions. Wayne asked that Brad provide the questions to MNRF in advance so that the questions can be answered at the meeting. Peggy to include Brad on next agenda. Brad to submit the questions to MNRF prior to the next meeting. Ginny stated that 5 elk have been seen on the perimeter of the farm fields near Kynoch which may lead to issues at the farm. Suggested we approach the owner with an offer to trial electric fencing equipment. Discuss at next meeting. 5 Elk Habitat Creation Project Update Peggy and Andy visited the site and there was no further work completed since Andy was there last September. It does not appear that the contractor will complete the clearing and site prep work. Robin to contact alternate contractor for

4 Robin says the north half of the site is ready for seeding. South side of the block needs to be cleared so it can be planted during the summer. Will have to approach another contractor to do the work. Robert has two students from Sault College that can help him with the seeding from June 6 th to the 10 th. Robin wants to get this project on the road and will be talking about it during the next meeting as well as the funding and process to complete this project. Pete suggested that we start to approach farmers near Chiblow Lake Road to discuss using extra seed to create habitat on private lands. quote. Plant north end during week of June 6 th. Pete, Jim and others to approach their contacts to discuss potential projects. 6 Deterrent Trial Update and Discussion Rob provided an update on his visits to the two farms where he was conducting deterrent trials. Elk seemed nervous coming back in the hay after the treatment with repellent. Used cedar around the silage for the elk for an attraction. Patched all the holes in the silage. Elk walked up to it but did not feed or create new holes in the wrap. Rob will be providing a summary to the townships and will update survey & post summary on website. Robert provided a summary of the survey results he completed with students. Robin thanked Rob and his students for the hours they put in as well as Sault College for their partnership in these surveys. Peggy suggested that we now have full electric fence kits to trial. Robin suggests we need more people to help put up the fences, and although Sault College has done a great job of deterrent trials over the winter, it should not automatically fall on them to continue. Pete asked Wayne if bear technician would be able to provide some help with the fencing. Peggy to talk with Supervisor. 7 Member Updates Dale suggested that new members should be sent all the previous meeting minutes. Peggy to provide previous minutes to new members. 8 Next Meeting Date & Adjournment Next meeting scheduled for Tuesday June 27th, 2017 at the Bruce Mines Community Hall. Motion to adjourn meeting at 8:45 Pm. 1st Andy Peniket

Hope Farm Medical Centre Patient Participation Group Meeting Date of Meeting: 17 th January 2017

Meeting: Hope Farm Medical Centre Patient Participation Group Meeting Date of Meeting: 17 th January 2017 Delegates Present & apologies: Present: Ken Salter (chair) Carol Williams Sue MacDonald Keith Anderton