A Manitoba judge ordered Natural Resources Minister Ian Bushie to review his decision on granting permits to a company no longer permitted to host polar bear tours in large tundra vehicles near Churchill. The ruling, issued by Manitoba Court of King’s Bench Justice Shawn Greenberg, found the province’s refusal to renew two tundra vehicle permits for Lazy Bear Expeditions for the upcoming polar bear viewing season to be improper.
Greenberg stated that there was no valid reason for the wildlife branch to withhold the permits initially granted to Lazy Bear in 2020. He questioned the rationale behind the branch’s claim that reducing the number of vehicles on the tundra from 20 to 18 would enhance polar bear conservation efforts.
The court decision highlighted that two other ecotourism companies, Great White Bear and Frontiers North, hold a total of 18 permits to operate large tundra vehicles in the Churchill Wildlife Management Area. Greenberg pointed out that the concern over the number of vehicles viewing polar bears seems to be centered on maintained roads east of Churchill where multiple tour companies operate using traditional vehicles, rather than in the offroad areas where tundra vehicles are utilized.
Furthermore, Greenberg noted that stationary tundra lodges operated by Frontiers North and Great White Bear may pose a greater habituation threat to polar bears during the viewing season compared to moving vehicles. The judge emphasized that the decision not to renew Lazy Bear’s permits appeared to be driven by factors other than conservation efforts, possibly influenced by ongoing litigation involving Great White Bear.
In response to the court’s decision, Daudrich expressed satisfaction but indicated plans to pursue legal action against the province and wildlife officials regarding the permit renewal issue. The NDP government spokesperson, Emily Coutts, mentioned that they would carefully assess the court ruling before determining their next steps. President Kyle Walkoski of Great White Bear Tours declined to comment until he had reviewed the decision, while there was no response from Frontiers North president John Gunter when contacted for a statement by CBC News.