Group Fears Job Cuts Will Lead to More Poaching

Group Fears Job Cuts Will Lead to More Poaching

Thursday, April 29, 2004 at 14:26

The executive director of the Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation isn’t exactly impressed with the government’s decision to cut back the number of its conservation officers.

Darrell Crabbe says the move will encourage poaching in the province’s forests and word is already getting out that you probably won’t get caught if you decide to break the rules.

Crabb says a total of 18 conservation officers stand to lose their jobs because of the government’s spring budget decisions.

But Environment Minister David Forbes says his department’s investigations branch for wildlife offences is being revamped and he feels the new look will actually make it tougher for poachers.

However, Forbes’ admits there might be some relatively small offences that don’t get as much attention as they once did.

Pinehouse and Ile-a-la-Crosse are two of the northern communities that are losing their conservation officers.