Debates of October 13, 2005 (day 9)

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I spoke of the dangers that the bison are posing for motorists on Highway No. 3. I strongly advocate for the need for a strategy to deal with this public safety issue. Public safety is a huge issue. Can the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources inform the Assembly whether his department has a strategy in place to deal with the bison on Highway No. 3? Mahsi, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.

Return To Question 105-15(4): Bison Hazard On Highway No. 3

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, this is an issue of concern to the Department of Transportation as well as Energy and Natural Resources. There is work being done in terms of public education, better signage, trying to determine exactly from a scientific point of view if there are specific things that attract the bison to the road right-of-way. Extra money has been requested and put into the budget to, in fact, start that work. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 105-15(4): Bison Hazard On Highway No. 3

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. I understand that the department is working closely with the Department of Transportation. Can the Minister also commit on working with the local Behchoko community government to deal with the bison issue? Will there be a harvesting of them or putting florescent tags on them so they can be reflective; also, initiating rubber bullets for discouraging them from going onto the highway, Mr. Speaker? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 105-15(4): Bison Hazard On Highway No. 3

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, there are issues with the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary, not only on Highway No. 3, but issues with the community of Fort Providence in terms of the buffalo in the community. We are very interested and will be taking steps to work with the local community governments to look at what options there are to try to deal with the issue of the bison, both on the road right-of-way and other areas of concern with this herd.

We have already tried rubber bullets in the past, I understand. It has a very short-term effect. The issue of some type of harvest is one we would have to look at and discuss, both with the department and the involved community governments, which we would be interested in and willing to do. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Supplementary, Mr. Lafferty.

Supplementary To Question 105-15(4): Bison Hazard On Highway No. 3

Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, can the Minister tell me the timeline on the development of a strategy to deal with the bison on Highway No. 3, especially with respect to harvesting from the community’s perspective? Mahsi.

Thank you, Mr. Lafferty. Mr. Miltenberger.

Further Return To Question 105-15(4): Bison Hazard On Highway No. 3

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, I would just like to quickly point out as I respond to this question that the issue of wildlife and road accidents is one that is an issue across the country. In Saskatchewan and Newfoundland, they estimate over $1 million in each of their jurisdictions as a result of collisions with wildlife; and the fundamental responsibility still is with the driver of the vehicle.

With regard to the Member’s specific question about when, we have already started work on a number of the areas we’ve already talked about and we are willing to sit down as soon as it can be arranged, both with the community governments and involved parties in Behchoko as well as Providence. Thank you.