Debates of February 6, 2006 (day 23)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. My question this afternoon is for Mr. Miltenberger as the Minister responsible for energy and renewable resources, and it regards the state of our caribou populations, Mr. Speaker. We've essentially seen, from many indicators, that as the herds have been declining, we've known that for some time, but the rate at which they're declining is speeded up, it is now something that is really causing a lot of concern. Mr. Speaker, what is the government doing to manage the alarming trend of declining caribou herds and avoid the terrible legacies of the past as it plundered the species of Canadian buffalo and codfish? Will we be able to avoid our caribou from joining that terrible legacy? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 346-15(4): Declining Caribou Populations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there's not enough time during this forum for me to outline all the things that we are doing, but I'd like to reassure the Member that we are doing we think all that is required. We're going to be coming forward here by the 15th with a whole slate of interim measures; we're looking at redoing the census numbers this coming year and the following year; we've been working very, very closely with all the renewable resource boards up and down the valley and, as well, our partner jurisdictions to look at making sure we have the accurate information, keeping in mind this is a very complex issue where there's not just one factor that's going to contribute to the current state of circumstances when it comes to the numbers of caribou. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 346-15(4): Declining Caribou Populations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Indeed the management of wildlife is something that is incredibly politicized and bureaucratized in the North. Let's take a look, just for instance, at the very, very unattainable NWT Wildlife Act that's been out for I think over a decade now in consultation and still has very little chance of seeing its way to the floor of this House. Mr. Speaker, to the caribou now, I wanted to ask the Minister, we're putting a lot of resources, we have a lot of very good expertise and we're putting a lot of money into finding out what's going on among the caribou. I wanted to ask specific to the Bathurst herd, this herd, the biggest one, that migrates into this part of the country; what do we know today about what is causing the decline of the Bathurst caribou herd, Mr. Speaker?

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 346-15(4): Declining Caribou Populations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I'll just quickly outline some of the many factors that we think are affecting not only the Bathurst herd, but the herds in general. There's things called weather events where we experience a lot of freezing rain in the last number of years during the winter that has frozen the ground making it very, very difficult for the animals to feed. There's concern that the number of predators is very large and extreme. There are hunting issues. There's more roads now and access to hunting than there's ever been before. There are development issues. So those five alone are significant issues that we're trying to assess, keeping in mind that they all have an impact. The question is how much. As well, as the Member pointed out in his statement, we do have some information gaps they we are trying to fill so that we can make the most informed decisions possible. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Braden.

Supplementary To Question 346-15(4): Declining Caribou Populations

Mr. Speaker, to the reference that the Minister made to the many different partners, stakeholders, that are coming into play here. Is there a collective will, Mr. Speaker, to recognize that we have an urgent situation on our hands, and a will to take action? Thank you, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Braden. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 346-15(4): Declining Caribou Populations

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, very clearly we are of the strong opinion that the numbers indicate that we have a problem we have to address very, very quickly and carefully. All the boards up and down the valley have accepted that information. There is some question and some people that would like to have the numbers redone, and we'd like to confirm them, as well, just to make sure that our numbers are accurate. So there is a problem, and I can assure the Member that we are going to move on this. We've been working on it now for many months to come up with the interim measures plus a broader barren land caribou strategy that we're going to bring forward for discussion. But by the middle of this month, we will have on the table some of our immediate sets, as well; shortly following that, the long-term plans. So there will be actions taken, I can assure the Member.