Thank you, Mr. Speaker. First, I’d like to point out that since 2005, and even earlier, since the signing of the land claims up and down the valley, the co-management boards have been working very successfully with the government to look after and make the right decisions with wildlife, including caribou, and even investing significant monies since 2005. We’re now dealing with the issue of rapid decline with the Bathurst herd in the North Slave. Ideally if the Wekeezhii process could have been able to meet its initial targets in October/November prior to this hunting season, we would not be in this situation given the precipitous drop in numbers to look at interim emergency measures. We are fully committed, of course, to the process going forward to look at the long-term Bathurst management plan that’s going to involve, Tlicho, Akaitcho, Northwest Territories Metis. It’s going to spill over and look at the Ahiak, the Bluenose-East, which involves the Sahtu as well as the Inuvialuit. That’s going to be a fairly complex undertaking. The key now is to get through this hunting season without putting any further pressure on this herd which is in a dire state. Thank you.
Michael Miltenberger on Question 223-16(4): Caribou Management Measures
In the Legislative Assembly on February 1st, 2010. See this statement in context.
Question 223-16(4): Caribou Management Measures
Oral Questions
January 31st, 2010
See context to find out what was said next.