Thank you, Mr. Speaker. The proposed legislation will not contain a list of species at risk in the NWT when it comes into force. Rather, species designated at risk in the NWT under the federal species at risk legislation will be assessed under the processes established in the NWT legislation.
Committee members heard from a delegation of polar bear hunters who described the impact on their livelihood that occurred when the USA designated polar bears as “endangered”. They all acknowledge that there have been negative impacts on the bears over the years; however, they believe the bear population remains relatively healthy. They felt that traditional knowledge was often overlooked in assessments of species’ health. They stressed the need for a balance between scientific and traditional knowledge when assessing species that may be at risk. They support the broad conservation goals that are at the heart of the species at risk (NWT) legislation and believe that appropriate management plans can address the need to both conserve species while at the same time support local economic activities.
Committee members heard from many others who wanted assurances that traditional knowledge would be included in a meaningful way throughout the assessment, listing and recovery processes. Committee members agree that the inclusion of traditional knowledge can improve a species’ assessment and supply much of the information needed for such an assessment when combined with scientific information. More importantly, the inclusion of traditional knowledge supports the meaningful involvement of aboriginal people in species conservation, which may improve local-
level acceptance of a species’ status and associated recovery programs.
Recommendation 3
The standing committee recommends that a series of protocols and guidelines for the collection of aboriginal traditional knowledge be developed to support its inclusion in the assessment and protection measures of species that may be at risk in the NWT.
Concerns About The Exclusion Of Migratory Birds And Fish
Given the importance of migratory birds and fish to NWT residents and to the biodiversity on which the northern ecosystem depends, committee members wanted to know why the Department of Environment and Natural Resources excluded them from the proposed NWT legislation. Departmental representatives indicated that in 2002, during the preparation and review of the legislative proposal for the Species at Risk Act, concerns were raised about the GNWT taking on responsibility for costs or activities associated with species under federal jurisdiction, namely migratory birds and fish. The department was given direction that the bill should not include any provisions that would in any way provide the GNWT with responsibility for fish or migratory birds.
The proposed act does enable the Minister to make an agreement with the Government of Canada to assess, but not list, the status of fish and migratory birds in the NWT. This would allow the Species at Risk Committee to assess the biological status of federal species that are not listed under the federal Species at Risk Act or are listed in a category that a co-management board considers inappropriate to their risk in the NWT. The assessment would be provided to the appropriate co-management boards and the federal government, with no obligation on the GNWT to take further action.
Recommendation 4
The standing committee recommends that the inclusion of fishes and migratory birds in the Species at Risk Act be undertaken as consequential amendments to the new Wildlife Act.
Now I will pass it along to my colleague, Mr. Ramsay. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.