No charges will be laid in killing of northern Ontario 'spirit moose'
An investigation into the shooting of a white cow moose in northern Ontario last fall has been closed and officials say no charges will be laid.
It was news that outraged people across the country when someone shot and harvested a rare and protected animal known as a 'spirit moose.'
Authorities said someone harvested two moose during the week of Oct. 26, 2020, on Nova Road near Kilometer 18, east of Foleyet. Both were found in a forestry cut, the head of the white moose was left behind, the other was a brown cow moose.
'Spirit moose' have been seen in that area for the last 40 years and get their white colouring from a condition called leucism, which is a partial loss of pigmentation in the skin and hair. It is often mistaken for a similar condition called albinism, but the animals do not have red eyes.
It is illegal to shoot and harvest white moose in wildlife management units 30 and 31 along Highway 101 from Timmins to Chapleau and local First Nations consider the 'spirit moose' a sacred animal.
When the investigation began, Crime Stoppers offered a $2,000 cash reward for tips leading to the conviction of the person responsible. Troy Woodhouse, a member of Flying Post First Nation, launched a collection to increase the reward. He raised more than $8,000.
"The spirit moose has and always will be sacred and respected in our family and our community," Woodhouse told CTV News in an interview in November. "We coexisted with the spirit moose on our traditional territory. Our ancestors and elders have told us stories our entire lives about the majestic creature and how lucky we are to have them in our area."
The decision to not lay charges was made by the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources, and Forestry based on Section 35 of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
"The (ministry) investigation determined that the moose was harvested lawfully by an individual who was exercising their harvesting rights within their recognized traditional territory," Jolanta Kowalski, a ministry spokesperson told CTV News in an email.
With files from Lydia Chubak, a reporter for CTV News Timmins.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
BREAKING Canucks goalie Thatcher Demko won't play in Game 2
The Vancouver Canucks will be without all-star goalie Thatcher Demko when they face the Nashville Predators in Game 2 of their first-round playoff series.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.