Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I’d like to ask my questions to the Minister of ENR with regard to the buffalo issue in Fort Liard. During my constituency visit last month it was raised again and residents are continually raising the issue of damages to their vehicles, their property, et cetera. Part of the buffalo management plan was to have more resources available for the community to manage the bison and buffalo issue there. What is currently being done to assist the community of Fort Liard with their buffalo issue?
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister responsible for Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I agree with the Member that this is an ongoing issue. I have raised the matter with the deputy and his officials. We’re looking at some options. There’s going to be contact with the community to see the depth and degree of the community concerns. One of the options I mentioned possibly to the Member is if there is a bunch or number of incorrigible buffalo, as there are on Highway No. 3, for example, when the hunting season starts, the buffalo are not to be seen after the first couple of shots or the first couple of bison are brought down. We’re prepared to consider something of that nature in the Fort Liard area as well.
It sounds like one possible solution. It would be like culling the herd, I guess. In terms of numbers, how many buffalo are around Fort Liard?
I don’t have the exact number before me, but clearly too many.
---Laughter
We’re prepared to work with the Member and the community to resolve this issue.
Certainly there is one too many. The Minister is talking about going to the community and providing some options. When would he be doing that? Hopefully sooner rather than later.
Given the length of time left in the life of this government, I will assure the Member that it will be sooner rather than later.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. Definitely before Christmas would be a good time to get to the community and provide these options and how it’s worked in other jurisdictions such as Highway No. 3.
One other option, as I was watching the news, is that there is a revitalization of buffalo herds in Saskatchewan. I’d just ask the Minister if he and his department could check that out. I believe they were looking for some buffalo. Residents of Fort Liard are really frustrated enough that they’re saying to get rid of these buffalo, move them out of here. They’re not local to here.
I will confirm with the Member the time. We’ll try to work with the before-Christmas date suggested by the Member. The Member has mentioned the possibility of a buffalo drive to Saskatchewan. Once again, we want to check with the community to see the degree of their concern and is that the best option. We’re not going to rule anything out at this point.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member for Sahtu, Mr. Yakeleya.
