Graydon Smith

A decision over whether to expand an obscure dog sport in Ontario sparked division within Doug Ford's Progressive Conservative caucus that saw the premier agree to cancel a new licensing regime before later resurrecting it, The Canadian Press has learned.

Last year, the province passed legislation that would allow the expansion of licences for so-called "train and trial" areas where hunters can bring their dogs to search for, and chase down, wild animals.

Natural Resources and Forestry Minister Graydon Smith says the province wants more people fighting wildland fires and is planning a recruitment blitz ahead of the start of the wildfire season that begins in April.

With the extent of climate change to be determined, and the definition of record-breaking fire seasons yet unknown, Ontario still does nothing to inform or protect its forest firefighters from smoke on the front lines.

Make no mistake, winter is almost over. Ontario's fire bans are coming.

The man appointed to lead Ontario's Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry last week is facing accusations he violated the province's endangered species law.