Conflicts surrounding hunting are no longer a secret for anyone. For a long time, non-hunters have opposed hunters who have been practicing this leisure for centuries. We know frictions increase as urban developments reach hunting territories, which naturally, is the case in Saint-Lazare. This closeness, whether audible, visible or invisible, inevitably creates tension. Non-hunters claim a partial or complete ban on hunting pleading reasons of physical safety, nuisance and wildlife protection, while hunters, on their side, claim an ancestral right and a shared access to this nature.

It would be naïve to think that by completely banning hunting however, the non-hunters’ problems would all go away. It is important to stress that among non-hunters, there aren’t just wildlife lovers and the City can vouch for that. Despite the fact that numerous residents consciously choose to live in Saint-Lazare for its nature and forest cover, these same residents will complain to the city time and again about the normal presence of simple raccoons or squirrels. Unlike the smaller and more urbanized towns of the West Island of Montreal, which usually do not exceed 20 km², the Town of Saint-Lazare spreads out on 70 km², the majority of which is forested. Now, we know forests without wildlife do not exist and the Ministry of Transport is good at pointing out on its highway signs that animals are not only found on road signs! Wild animals do not limit their occupation of the territory based on your preferences. They share the same territory. Our region’s rural and agricultural reality allows Saint-Lazare to enjoy a relatively authentic and beautiful nature. The wildlife it shelters requires it be adequately managed so that we can continue to take advantage of a healthy and diverse wildlife, in numbers that are acceptable to minimize encounters with man.

It doesn't matter whether you’re "for" or "against" hunting, and although the Town of Saint-Lazare is aware of the differences that oppose separate camps, it isn’t here tonight to take sides. For having sought legal counsel on the subject, it is clear to us that the Town does not have the jurisdiction to ban hunting.

By organizing this information session, the Town is hoping the various nature users come together and start a dialogue to better understand each other’s love of nature and hopefully and eventually allow a peaceful coexistence.

Living in society requires compromise, tolerance and flexibility to allow everyone to enjoy their passion in the presence of others. No one ever said living together was easy. It requires work.

Tonight we are bringing together representatives from the Ministère des Ressources naturelles et de la Faune, the Saint-Lazare hunting and fishing club, the Quebec hunting and fishing federation, the Quebec trapping federation, the Quebec dog hunters association as well as the Sûreté du Québec with the purpose of:

·	Offering you a general overview of hunting practices in Quebec;
·	Explaining the importance of controlling populations, maintaining their diversity and health and reducing interactions between man and wildlife;
·	Easing concerns regarding the use of various hunting weapons (traps, snares, bows, firearms);
·	understanding the various federal, provincial and municipal jurisdictions as well as hunting by-laws;
·	Offering you a specific view of hunting territories in Saint-Lazare;
·	Explaining the limits of the municipal enforcement; and of
·	Allowing you to meet in person local hunters, and find out more about their club, their activities, and to allow you to get answers to your questions.

We hope you will take advantage of this evening to demystify an often misunderstood subject.