Thank you to the member from Cambridge for the question.

We are so blessed in Ontario with those beautiful lakes, rivers, streams, forests full of abundant and diverse wildlife, and we work hard every single day to sustainably manage those resources for future generations.

Mr. Speaker, one of the things we do through hunting and fishing regulations and licences is to make sure we reinvest that money back into these programs, such as stocking eight million fish in over 1,200 water bodies every year. In addition, we invest millions of dollars—$2 million per year—to support ongoing research, management and mitigation of invasive species across the province. These investments are important to the sustainability of the natural resources tourism sector.

Anglers spend more than $1.6 billion a year, so thank you to the member from Cambridge for being part of that and creating jobs in northern Ontario.

The free fishing weekend we just had on Family Day, by the way, was a great success. I had an opportunity to be out in the great community of Brechin, meeting with families who were out on the lake trying fishing for the first time. It was amazing.

The Toronto Sportsmen’s Show is coming up. It’s an excellent opportunity for outdoor enthusiasts to gather and share their passion for hunting, fishing, camping, boating and the great outdoors. It’s happening from March 16 to 19 in the Mississauga–Malton area, so a shout-out to the member for hosting such a great event in his area. There are lots of vendors there, including the Great Ontario Salmon Derby, Destination Ontario, Ducks Unlimited Canada, and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. I encourage everyone who’s there to stop by our Ministry of Natural Resources booth and meet some of the incredible people doing incredible work, like our conservation officers, and see a cooking demo. You can even drop a line and angle for live fish right there. It’s an excellent opportunity to showcase what’s happening in Ontario. I encourage members and all—

My question is for the Minister of Natural Resources and Forestry.

Ontario is known for its rich and abundant natural resources. Our province is truly blessed with more than a quarter million lakes, shoreline access to four great lakes, and more than 490,000 kilometres of rivers and streams offering residents and guests exceptional fishing opportunities, which I personally enjoy. We appreciate that our neighbours and many of our other tourists want to share in these resources.

People travelling to Ontario to participate in hunting and fishing are required to follow a different set of regulations than residents. Questions have arisen about the potential strain and impact of outdoor recreation tourism on wildlife and the environment.

Can the minister please explain how our government is responding to the growth in Ontario’s natural resources tourism?

With the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry’s family fishing days, more Ontario families and friends can enjoy fishing anywhere in the province without having to purchase a licence or carry an Outdoors Card. Free fishing periods make it affordable and easy for people to enjoy a fun activity while experiencing this beautiful province.

The people of my riding of Cambridge are interested in learning more about the opportunities for outdoor recreation.

Can the minister please explain how Ontarians can access information about recreation opportunities in communities across the province?