Our parks in Winnipeg are valuable green spaces for families and wildlife alike. Recently, a distressing decision has been made to allow the use of a slow and painful poison to control the ground squirrel population throughout our city's parks. This does not only endanger the squirrels but risks poisoning the entire ecosystem. Predators that consume these poisoned squirrels, such as hawks, foxes, or domestic dogs that might find them, are at risk of suffering the same fate. As humans, we possess the intellect and empathy to understand that such cruelty is unnecessary and harmful.

The decision to utilize poison disregards the broader environmental impact, and it raises concerns about public safety, particularly for children and pets enjoying these shared spaces. The poison has far-reaching consequences, leading to unintended harm to nontarget wildlife, disrupting the ecological balance, and potentially compromising clean waterways.

We must find more humane and effective solutions, such as habitat management, improved public education on wildlife, and non-lethal deterrents to ensure that our response to overpopulation issues respects both our biodiversity and our community’s values. Revoking the permit granted to deploy this poison and opting for sustainable practices is imperative.

To Minister of Environment and Climate Change, we implore you to rescind this permit and protect our cherished parks and the diverse life they harbor. Let us choose compassion and sound environmental stewardship.

Please sign this petition to stop the use of harmful poison in Winnipeg’s parks and advocate for humane wildlife management policies re that show respect for all living creatures.