Alberta Metis hunting licence expanded

Published: Sunday, December 16, 2007
EDMONTON -- Alberta cabinet minister Ted Morton hopes changes to subsistence hunting rules will be viewed as "a gesture of goodwill" by Metis hunters who have been protesting against his government.
Morton, the minister of sustainable resource development, announced changes Friday to the subsistence hunting licence, a special licence for Albertans who rely on moose, elk or deer meat to feed themselves and their families.
Metis hunters recently have been staging traditional hunts around the province in protest against a government decision to replace a controversial interim Metis hunting agreement with rules that limit Metis hunting to areas around specific Metis settlements.
Metis hunters argue they have a constitutional right to hunt anywhere in Alberta.
"For those people, I am quite certain this won't address their concern with rights, although I would hope that it would be taken as a gesture of goodwill and perhaps facilitate getting back to the negotiating table," Morton said of the changes to the subsistence hunting licence.
Officials with the Metis Nation of Alberta could not be reached for comment.
The subsistence hunting licence previously was available only to people living north of the Trans-Canada Highway, which bisects the province through Edmonton, and outside of towns and cities. It could only be used in winter. Now the licence may be used anywhere in the province at any time of year. Licence holders will have the right to kill one moose, one elk or two deer, depending on which species are in abundance in their area.
Edmonton Journal

Alberta government tries to diffuse hunting rights dispute with Metis

THE CANADIAN PRESS
EDMONTON - Premier Ed Stelmach's government is trying to diffuse a dispute with Alberta's Metis by making it easier for people to hunt wild game. Against the will of Metis the province brought in a new policy in July that restricted where Metis can hunt and fish without a licence to eight settlements and 17 communities in northern Alberta. Metis hunting and fishing rights were not recognized south of Highway 16. Now the government has announced a policy that says people who rely on wild meat can apply for a free licence to shoot moose, elk and deer anywhere in the province.

The Metis Nation of Alberta is planning to challenge the hunting restrictions that were imposed in July in court.

Metis nation and government officials were not immediately available for comment.