Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Two hundred and thirty two days ago and about 16 minutes ago, I brought questions to this House regarding caribou management. With the imminent passing of the Wildlife Act before us, there are still questions that remain regarding the number of caribou tags for resident and commercial outfitters, and it needs clarity here in the House.
My questions today would be for the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. If the Minister can give us maybe a brief update on what is the status right now with the resident hunter tag allocation for this upcoming season.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Within the week we expect to be in a position to announce definitely, in relation to the Beverly and Ahiak herd off to the east. The Bluenose-East herd, the numbers are just being collated and there’s work being done with the department and with the co-management board looking at the numbers and looking at how the numbers break out in terms of cow-calf recruitment and calf survival and the overall numbers. That work will be finalized, hopefully, within the week, but if not, shortly thereafter. As soon as those are concluded, I will be in a position to make a public announcement, but the intent still is, the numbers are there to warrant it, and we are looking to move if those numbers warrant on a tag per resident, I will be able to announce that this winter.
I’m looking forward to seeing that information. If the Minister can give us maybe another brief update on what’s happening with the commercial outfitter tag allocation for the upcoming season.
There is no commercial outfitter tag allocation. There is none currently, and given the herd numbers, there is no plan at this point to reinstitute those commercial tags for some time. The commitment on the Bathurst herd is going to be the next full count will be done in 2015-16, so it will be at least until 2016 before we’re in any position to look at the clear numbers of the state of the Bathurst herd to see what type of harvest may be possible.
It sounds, to my ears, that we’re going to be waiting another year or two here before we can do something for our commercial outfitters. They’ve been hanging on a wire for way too long here and I think we’ve got to help them out, but of course, I understand species management is paramount.
As I said 232 days ago, and I’m just going to repeat the same question: What is the formal format to allow resident hunters and commercial hunters to have a meaningful input in all upcoming management board discussions in caribou management or in our limit in harvest in the future? Thank you.
Thank you. We have a commitment to an ongoing role here in the Wildlife Act that will engage what is now currently called the Stakeholders Wildlife Act Advisory Group to make sure that we have that ongoing potential opportunity for input. As well, we will work on an ongoing basis with ENR to get feedback from outfitters. In the North Slave there are no settled claims. We’re trying to work out a process on a going-forward basis with the Wek’eezhii, which has a settled claim, but there’s none in the North Slave with the Akaitcho. The Northwest Territories Metis, as well, have some claims up here in terms of land and access.
So we’re in the process of once again working out an interim arrangement with all of the parties to ensure we can manage the Bathurst herd most appropriately. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Dolynny.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister for clarifying that. We’ve been aware for some time now that the Bluenose-East has been at record levels for at least four years now.
So with that information, can the Minister indicate how many times he’s met with the commercial harvesters and talked with them about the potential harvest? Earlier it sounded like we’re not going to be doing this for a number of years, but has the Minister sat down with these organizations and clearly mapped out the plan of action for their survival? Thank you.
Thank you. That flexibility and opportunity has been significantly impaired since we are currently involved in litigation and I’m being sued by the outfitters. So there’s a lawsuit underway which limits ability for that type of interaction. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Member for Hay River South, Mrs. Groenewegen.
