CHAPTER XII 

 A REVIEW OF PROVINCIAL GAME LEGISLATION 



All the provinces of Canada have undertaken the pro- 

 tection of game and wild life, and have passed legislation 

 for that purpose. In most cases the game laws are framed 

 wisely and enforced effectively; in certain cases the ad- 

 ministration of the game laws is not in accordance with the 

 needs of the situation. Too often in the past political or 

 other considerations have influenced the selection of game 

 officers, and have prevented the impartial administration 

 of game laws; there has been too great a desire to protect 

 local politics rather than local game, with a disastrous effect 

 on the latter. The protection of game and wild life de- 

 mands the appointment of qualified officers and the admin- 

 istration of game laws without fear or favour. The co- 

 existence of game with large populations in older countries, 

 such as England, Scotland, and other European countries, 

 has been due, not only to propagation of game, but to im- 

 partial administration of game laws and their strict ob- 

 servance by all. 



Our game resources will never benefit to the extent that 

 is necessary, and is intended by our game laws, until the 

 administration of all game laws is completely freed from 

 poUtical influence or interference, and there are sufficient 

 qualified and conscientious game wardens to meet the re- 

 quirements of all parts of the Dominion. Fortunately, there 

 has been marked and encouraging progress in this direction 

 in recent years, and, as the needs are more widely appre- 

 ciated, we may expect in Canada game laws and a standard 

 of administration that will not be surpassed in any other 



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