NEWS RELEASE
MINISTRY OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND FORESTRY
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As Canada’s second-largest province geographically, Ontario spans approximately one million square kilometres, ranging from temperate in the south to tundra in the north. This vast province contains an incredible abundance of natural resources, including some of the best recreational hunting and fishing in North America.
Since 1892, conservation officers have shouldered the responsibility of protecting these natural resources for future generations, and today, they’re still going strong.
“Conservation officers have a big job to do, including the enforcement of hunting and fishing regulations, promoting hunting safety, investigation of illegal activities against fish and wildlife, and educating the public,” said John Yakabuski, Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “They’re out there in all weather conditions, patrolling the lakes, rivers, trails, backroads, and urban centres of our province — making sure our world-class natural resources stay that way.”
Many areas of Ontario aren’t accessible by road, so conservation officers use a wide variety of vehicles to get where they’re needed in the backcountry. These include all-terrain vehicles, snowmobiles, boats, and helicopters.
To protect Ontario’s natural resources, conservation officers use cutting-edge enforcement tactics, including DNA analysis, GPS tracking, data analysis, aerial and canine patrols, and wildlife decoys.
There are currently 184 conservation officers in the ministry, working out of over 50 locations in every region of Ontario. These front-line positions include field officers, canine handlers, and specialist positions in training, intelligence and investigations — all of whom lead year-round enforcement service delivery.
“During the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen countless examples of heroism from front-line workers, and our conservation offers are no exception,” said Minister Yakabuski. “These brave folks have been out there the whole time, keeping Ontarians safe throughout the pandemic, and protecting our natural heritage — and I couldn’t be prouder of them.”
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry is recruiting 25 new conservation officers to its ranks. These officers will help the ministry increase its focus on sustainable resource management and public safety goals.
“We promised to hire more conservation officers to protect Ontario’s precious natural resources and we’re making good on that commitment,” said Mike Harris, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry. “This is a great career path for anyone who’s passionate about the outdoors. If you’ve got an adventurous spirit and a desire to serve your province on the front lines, we want to hear from you.”
For more information on how to apply, go the Province of Ontario’s Public Service Careers website.
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