OntORA and its Members Fined $25,100 for Illegally Accessing Lake

A Corporation and its members have been fined a total of $25,100 for trespassing for the purpose of fishing and disobeying access restriction signs.

ontoraOntario Corporation Number 1796926 – Ontario Outdoor Recreational Alliance (OntORA) was found guilty and fined $20,000 for trespassing for the purpose of fishing.

  • The OntORA President, Michael Boudreau of Hawk Junction, was convicted for being party to the offence and fined $2,000 for trespassing for the purpose of fishing and $500 for disobeying a sign.
  • OntORA District Representative Joseph Gerner of Gogama was fined $1000 for trespassing for the purpose of fishing and $500 for disobeying a sign.
  • Louis Magnuson of Foleyet was fined $1000 for disobeying a sign.
  • Chris Brown of Gogama was fined $100 for fishing without having his fishing licence on his person.

The fines did not include the victim fine surcharge and the court costs.

The court heard that on Saturday August 20th, 2011, OntORA organized a protest which caused individuals to illegally access Oswald Lake, north of Foleyet, Ontario.  Oswald Lake is a protected remote tourism lake with access restrictions and which can only be accessed by traditional means.

Justice of the Peace Theodore A. Hodgins heard the case in the Ontario Court of Justice, Chapleau, on September 10th, 2014.

To report a natural resources violation, call 1-877-TIPS-MNR (847-7667) toll-free any time or contact your local ministry office during regular business hours. You can also call Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-TIPS 8477.

Lowest Gas Prices in Northshore AND Greenstone
Ontario Gas Prices provided by GasBuddy.com