Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. During an ENR presentation last month to the Priorities and Planning Committee, there was mention of a caribou management plan. What was amiss was the Bison Management Plan. I would like to recognize that the community of Fort Providence is on the doorstep to the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary. My question to the ENR Minister is: I am interested to know if there is an updated Bison Management Plan and if the community of Fort Providence is aware of such. Mahsi.
Thank you, Member for Deh Cho. Minister of Environment and Natural Resources.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mackenzie Bison Management Plan was finalized in 2018 to provide guidance on the management of the herd. The plan was developed collaboratively by the Mackenzie Bison Working Group, which included representatives from GNWT, Indigenous governments, and other key stakeholders.
In regards to community of Fort Providence, I have similar issues in Fort Liard and Nahanni Butte. Bison are known to come into the communities of Fort Providence and cause conflict in the community along the highway. ENR works collaboratively with the communities to respond to bison in a number of ways, taking steps to avoid attracting bison into the community, highway, and airstrip; herding bison out of the community if they come in and are causing injuries; and ultimately removing persistent bison that cannot be herded out of town. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
It is kind of ironic that I chose this topic today as I went into the local restaurant here and they were serving bison stew. I had myself a hearty bowl of bison stew. I guess what I am trying to get at is that we really miss having that stuff as part of a food staple in our community. The residents of Fort Providence had previously been issued bison tags to harvest bison for food. Since the anthrax outbreaks a while back, all that has ceased. I am just wondering: what is the update on the issuance of bison tags to the community of Fort Providence?
Under the Mackenzie Bison Management Plan, the community can harvest up to 1 percent of the population for cultural, ceremonial, and safety concerns through a permit issued by ENR. ENR has received a request from the First Nations and the Metis Council for a permit to harvest four and two bison, respectively. We are working with Indigenous governments right now to see how we can help them.
My final question to the Minister is: how often are the bison tested to ensure a disease-free bison herd within the sanctuary, and when was the last testing?
I haven't been briefed on that depth of it right yet, but I am willing to work with the Member. We will set up a briefing with him with the department so he can get that information moving forward, the same as if committee wishes to have further information.
I think Minister Simpson talked about it: it is trying to work together. We are willing to do as many technical briefings as we can to engage the other side and the public to make sure we are informed and we make wise decisions. I will make that offer to the Member to set up a meeting.
Thank you, Minister of Environment and Natural Resources. Oral questions. Member for Inuvik Twin Lakes.
