Rally to save the Ontario Ranger Program – January 4 in Toronto
January 1st, 2013 | Posted in Protest | 10 comments »
Save the Ontario Ranger Program – Help Us Help Youth Rally
Queen’s Park, Toronto, Ontario – January 4, 2013 @ 1:30 p.m.
Today marks the beginning of the new year and for many people in Ontario and around the world this means a fresh start or making resolutions for 2013. For the youth of Ontario, the coming of 2013 means the end of a 68-year-old legacy. Normally, January 1st is the deadline for applications to be submitted to the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources’ Ontario Ranger Program. This year the 17-year-old youth of Ontario will miss a chance to apply to experience this historical program because the Ontario government has decided that it is not worth it.
Started in 1944, the Ontario Ranger Program has been providing youth with a work and education experience like no other. With 13 work camps spread across the province, thousands of youth have had the opportunity to live and work with their peers, learn about sustainable resource management, gain important life lessons and employable skills, and truly have a summer that they will never forget. With the Ontario government’s decision to close the Ontario Ranger camps, this important youth opportunity will be no more. This means the loss of hundreds of jobs for youth and an economic loss for the small communities close to where the camps were based. Most importantly, this means the loss of thousands of hours of work done for community groups and organizations that do not have the people power to complete them, which could mean a loss of services to the communities nearby.
On January 4th, 2013, The Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program will be holding a rally to protest the closure of the Ontario Ranger camps at Queen’s Park in Toronto, Ontario. The Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program is a group of people who have a vested interest in the program, either because they were themselves an Ontario Ranger or they know someone who was and understand the importance of this youth experience. Please join us at 1:30 p.m. to show the Ontario government that we are not okay with their decision and that we expect more from the leaders of our province. Help us help youth become the leaders of Ontario’s future!
For more information please contact:
Emily Kerton
The Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program Rally Coordinator
Email: emily.kerton(at)gmail.com
Also visit:
Friends of the ORP.com
Friends of the Ontario Ranger Program on Facebook
The benefits of this program were shared by forestry companies and their respective communities. Any protests must be accompanied by a commitment to share directly in the costs of the program.
There are many worthwhile prrojects but not many dollars. Canada is deep in debt.
Think about it.
Canada is deep in debt. But Canada isn’t deep in debt because of a program offering jobs and experience to 17 year olds over the past 68 years that also benefits the local communities where the camps reside.
This job pays minimum wage and deductions for living expenses are made from pay cheques (or at least it did when I was a Ranger in 1997).
Think about it.
As an MNR employee years ago, I found that the JR program was a glorified babysitting service for middle class city kids. They actually accomplished little of significance.
As such, I don’t support the continuation of the program unless it’s revamped to target youth at risk or who would benefit from the program.
I worked hared as a ontarion ranger then I ever saw a MNR employee work in my three years working in NorthBay for the MNR, the Ontario Ranger started my career in forestry which is now at 16yrs, this country is short forestry workers already and this won’t help
I was a Junior Forest Ranger in 1958. What I learned that summer was remembered and put to good use ever since. We earned our keep by building trails and maintaining roads. More of our youth should have the opportunity to be involved in programs like this.
Killing this program is just one more example how senseless and stupid our Goverment is. They can’t see the forest for the trees.
Don in Kitchener
Thanks to our contribution as Rangers in 1957 people are enjoying the Kettle Lakes Park outside of Timmins. I can’t agree more with the comment above from Don. This program had a huge impact on my life as a 17 year old.
The Jr. ranger program taught participants to respect our natural resources and the values they can provide to local communities. Compare this process with the alternative process that utilizes hidden agendas and confrontation to state natural resource values, and I believe we received a much higher return on our investment.
i was a ranger!! i feel like it should continue on and stay alive for mmany more years!!!
i feel as though you are wrong. i respect your decision but i was a 2012 ranger and i feel like we accomplished more then you can comprehend.
I worked in Sioux Lookout in 1976 and had the opportunity to spend some time in Pickle Lake. It was one of the best experiences of my life. The summer away from home prepared me for the years I would be away at university. My brother, Mike Henderson, folllowed me 7 years later and is now the Canine Warden for Banff National Park. We didn’t make much money back then, but we sure are the richer for it. And nobody slacked off – I was part of one of the first female group of JRs and we were out to prove we were as good as the boys or better – and we were!