Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Mr. Chairman, I, 100 percent, agree with the Minister that our wildlife populations have to be managed, but I believe managed includes harvesting. At this point in time, I am suggesting that an increase in the quotas of grizzly bears would be the total solution to the increasing population of grizzly bears. What some of the elders are saying is that as industrial activity happens more and more in the south parts of the territories, populations like grizzly bears, seem to be migrating north and are being forced north to keep away from human activity. This seems to some degree, to be part of the problem. What I am saying here, Mr. Chairman, is in comparison to the Peary caribou, the grizzly bear has a lot more features that would help to protect themselves. Nobody is suggesting here that we are talking an increase simply for food. People are talking an increase for protection, as well and it has to be taken into consideration that whether the grizzly is killed in self-defence or whether it is killed in a quota, he is still dead. I appreciate the Minister's concerns of public pressure from down south, to some degree, has to be taken into consideration, but on the other hand, the public down south are not the ones that really have to live with grizzly bears in their backyard. With that, Mr. Chairman, I would hope that the Minister would also have that special group, that is meeting, consider the increased populations of grizzly bears as well. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Vince Steen on Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
In the Legislative Assembly on February 27th, 1998. See this statement in context.
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
Item 19: Consideration In Committee Of The Whole Of Bills And Other Matters
February 26th, 1998
Page 1196
See context to find out what was said next.