Illegal trapping case results in fines of more than $9,000

By Nigel Maxwell

A man responsible for illegal trapping in the Fort à la Corne forest northeast of Prince Albert is facing fines totalling more than $9,000.

Lloyd Slonski, 63, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon at Prince Albert Provincial Court. In addition to the fines, he must also forfeit his trapping equipment.

As this was his third related conviction, he’s also prohibited for life from owning or applying for a hunting licence. For a period of five years, he cannot engage in any hunting activities that would normally not require a licence or permit.

The offences date back to Dec. 28, 2020 and Jan. 28, 2021, and happened in the Weirdale area, also known as the Fort à la Corne Wildlife Management unit.

The charges related to trapping in an area that only members of James Smith Cree Nation (JSCN) had permission to be in, and using a type of snare for which he did not have a licence to use. Among the animals found in his possession were a wolf and a coyote.

Following his trial in November, Slonski was found guilty in January on all seven counts, but two charges that overlapped the others were stayed. With respect to the above mentioned offences, Slonski was fined $8,400.

Also among the offences was using dead deer as bait (road kill) and not reporting it within the required seven days. For this charge, the fine was $500 plus an $80 victim surcharge.

An additional $175 fine was issued with relation to the use of a snowmobile without a permit.

During the submission phase of sentencing, it was argued the owner of the land was in fact a member of JSCN who gave Slonski permission to hunt. The landowner said Slonski, who was working as a pest control officer for the rural municipality, was helping to decrease an out-of-control wolf population.

Justice of the Peace Barry Rossman explained Slonski was still required to receive a permit from the Ministry of Environment, and so the permission granted by the landowner was not his to give.

The defence filed a charter arguing the penalty was grossly disproportionate to the offence. Rossman dismissed the application and noted Slonski had received a warning in 2018 not to continue any more illegal trapping.

“I do not know why Mr. Slonski was trapping, but he was,” he said.

Rossman also explained deterrence was required in this case, and culpability was high given it had not been an isolated incident. Rossman further noted Slonski’s actions had impacted the livelihood of JSCN band members.

Standing up from his chair, Slonski asked if could pay by way of fine options. The Justice of the Peace replied he had until June 30 to apply.

Outside the courtroom, Slonski was visibly upset and when handed the prohibition orders, told the conservation officer to “stick it.”