It is true the department has always recognized the importance of polar bears and the importance of polar bears to Inuit communities. We have worked very hard over the last few years to try to get an adequate research database in order to ensure that quotas and the way we manage that particular wildlife species is done in a way that ensures the healthy growth and presence of those animals. In the areas of Clyde River and Baffin Island, some years ago there was a serious question about the ability of the polar bear population to sustain itself should further hunts be allowed. So the quotas were removed and we provided compensation to those communities to diminish the hardship to the hunters and the people who depended on the harvesting of polar bears. This is still in place up until June of this year. Following that, there will be a review of the present status of polar bear populations in those areas, with a view that we can now go back to allowing a quota of polar bears to be hunted this year.
Stephen Kakfwi on Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
In the Legislative Assembly on May 16th, 1996. See this statement in context.
Committee Report 3-13(3): Standing Committee On Resource Management And Development Report On The Review Of The 1996-97 Main Estimates
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
May 15th, 1996
Page 433
See context to find out what was said next.