Thank you, Mr. Speaker. An environment that will sustain present and future generations is one of the goals of this Legislative Assembly and how we manage caribou is a major part of achieving that goal. Actions taken by the Government of the Northwest Territories to deal with declining populations of barren-ground caribou herds have improved our environmental planning, protection monitoring and water management activities as envisioned in the Northerners Working Together plan.
The guiding document for our caribou stewardship actions was a 2006-2010 Barren-Ground Caribou Management Strategy. This strategy resulted in the increased investment by our government and our partners to work together on the necessary actions needed to help stabilize declining herds and intensify the collection of information required to make wise management decisions.
These management actions, successfully implemented with our co-management partners and Aboriginal governments, have helped stabilized three previously declining herds -- the Cape Bathurst, Bluenose-West and Bluenose-East herds -- and slowed the decline of the Bathurst herd.
During the past five years we have strengthened relationships with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal groups using barren-ground caribou and enhanced the research and monitoring efforts necessary to manage these herds.
I want to recognize the individual harvesters and Aboriginal governments who have shown
leadership and taken actions to help caribou recover. This has not been without costs.
However, as barren-ground caribou herds remain at low numbers, we must remain vigilant in our efforts to ensure barren-ground caribou remain a plentiful resource.
Later today I will table the next five-year management strategy for the barren-ground caribou. This draft new strategy builds on the 2006-2010 strategy and previous management planning initiatives recommended by co-management boards, Aboriginal governments, caribou management boards and NWT communities. It does not replace herd-specific management planning. It provides a unified framework for those plans.
Strategies have been identified for the following five key components: engaging partners in the management of barren-ground herds, ensuring information is available for sound herd management, managing impacts of key factors on caribou herds, public education and compliance, and maximizing benefits.
Implementation of this new strategy will require significant new investment. Key actions include developing and completing management plans for all herds and building capacity for involvement in conservation actions. It will require resources from partners who share responsibility for managing barren-ground caribou herds. These partners include Aboriginal governments, co-management boards, caribou management boards, the governments of Canada and neighbouring jurisdictions.
Mr. Speaker, there has been tremendous commitment by many people to stop the decline of caribou. We need that commitment during the next five years to support the recovery of all herds to levels that benefit all residents. Advice and direction from co-management partners and Aboriginal governments are critical in defining specific actions needed for each herd.
We have made progress in conserving our barren-ground caribou herds during the past five years and continue to invest in improved environmental stewardship through the Managing This Land strategic initiative, which has funded work on the draft strategy and improved caribou monitoring.
Our success over the next five years rests with all residents. I encourage everyone to review this draft new five-year strategy and provide their comments and feedback on the actions proposed in it. By continuing to work cooperatively to manage these herds, we can ensure our caribou populations remain plentiful to benefit current and future generations. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Member responsible for Education, Culture and Employment, Mr. Lafferty.
