Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I just wanted to follow up on questions to the Minister of Environment and Natural Resources with regard to the Bison Management Strategy and, most particularly, the Nahanni bison herd that’s causing grief to the residents of Fort Liard, Nahanni Butte and Lindberg Landing.
Has the draft Bison Management Strategy been completed?
Thank you, Mr. Menicoche. The honourable Minister of Environment and Natural Resources, Mr. Miltenberger.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I do apologize to the Member for the protracted process that that strategy has, and I will commit to him that we will have a final strategy for him before we come back for the winter session.
Certainly, it’s a concern for the residents. One of the unique things that a resident had brought to my attention was that he had visited his neighbours down in BC, the Champagne and Aishihik First Nations, and they have managed to curtail a lot of damages to private property by harvesting some of the bison there. Is that something that the department can consider?
That is an option that we have used in other locales and we are definitely looking at that. We’re looking at the possibility of finding somebody with a tag that would be prepared to harvest one of the animals that are nuisance animals or, failing that, we would look at doing such an emergency cull on our own. So we are actively looking at that.
Thank you very much. I was wondering: would the Bison Management Strategy, once implemented, have, say, a 1-800 number that the residents can call specifically for this Nahanni bison herd? Thank you.
Thank you. The intent would be to use the ENR staff that is available in the communities in the Member’s riding to be contacted within the nearest specific community. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Final, short supplementary, Mr. Menicoche.
Thank you very much, Mr. Speaker. I look forward to the updated strategy as the Minister had committed. As well, if he can get that to the community leadership that’s been affected as well. Thank you.
Thank you. We will ensure that we continue to touch all the appropriate bases as we provide the finished management plan to the Member as promised.
Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The Member for Weledeh, Mr. Bromley.
