Changes are coming to the province's Bear Wise program.
Natural Resources Minister Michael Gravelle says from now on they'll leave decisions on what to do with bears up to local police and will no longer trap and relocate the bruins.
Gravelle says the province will continue to operate the Bearwise hotline.
Meanwhile, a union leader says Ontario residents face greater danger from bears this year because of provincial government cutbacks.
Ontario Public Service Employees Union president Smokey Thomas says the number of staff trained to deal with bears that threaten public safety has been cut by more than half.
Thomas says changes to the Bear Wise education and response program are among what he terms ill-advised cuts at the Ministry of Natural Resources.
The ministry has 21 technicians in 15 northern Ontario communities, down from 48 in 25 communities.
