Mr. Speaker, I rise in the House today to update the people of the Northwest Territories on the status of the barren ground caribou and the condition of the various herds.

During this past summer we were able to complete full surveys on the Cape Bathurst, Tuk Peninsula and Bathurst herds. A partial survey of the Bluenose-West herd was also done. Surveys of the Bluenose-East and Porcupine caribou herds could not be done due to weather conditions. Surveys are planned for both these herds next summer.

Preliminary results indicate the Cape Bathurst herd has increased to about 2,400, from 1,900 in 2009, while the Tuk Peninsula has declined to about 2,200, from 2,700. We also see that the Bluenose-

West herd has seen a slight increase since 2009, with a count of about 20,000, from 18,000. More analysis is being done on the results of the 2012 surveys and final numbers will be shared with Members as they become available.

A survey of the Bathurst herd was also done this past summer. I understand that the survey was done under ideal conditions, and because of the tight concentration of breeding females, it was one of the most precise surveys ever done on that herd.

I’m happy to advise that this herd, which was in rapid decline only a few short years ago, has now stabilized at about 35,000, a slight increase from 32,000 in 2009.

Mr. Speaker, while the halting of this decline is good news, we are not out of the woods yet, as the overall size of this herd remains very low. In addition, the number of breeding females has not increased and there has been poor calf recruitment for the past two years.

Given this, we remain concerned about the overall conservation of the Bathurst herd. The harvest restrictions, as recommended by the Wek’eezhie Renewable Resources Board, remain in effect for the 2012-2013 harvest season. This includes 150 hunting tags for the Tlicho people and 150 for the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

In addition, ENR will begin working with our partners in the WRRB, the Tlicho Government, the YKDFN and others on the development of a harvest management plan beyond 2013 and leading to the next planned Bathurst survey in 2015.

Mr. Speaker, while we were unable to survey the Bluenose-East herd in 2012, the results of the 2010 calving and post-calving surveys indicated the herd has increased to about 100,000 animals.

These numbers give us an opportunity to open discussions about an unrestricted Aboriginal harvest as well as the possibility of considering a limited resident harvest on this herd. Of course, Mr. Speaker, we will have to work with our co-management partners on any such proposals and look forward to beginning that task in the immediate future. Our plan is to work with our co-management partners to draft a proposal on harvest options by December 2012 so that the board can make recommendations on harvest levels in time for the 2013-2014 hunting season.

ENR is also eagerly awaiting the results of survey work done by the Government of Nunavut on the Beverly/Ahiak herd. This data, expected to arrive in November, will help inform decisions about current and future management actions for both subsistence and resident harvesters. Discussions with the Beverly Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board and the Government of Nunavut are expected to begin as soon as the data arrives and

we hope to see harvest recommendations on this herd in time for the 2013-2014 hunting season.

I want to take this opportunity to recognize the sacrifices made by so many throughout the NWT to help conserve our barren ground caribou herds.

These sacrifices have made a big difference in helping these herds stabilize and, in some cases, increase. Other factors, however, including weather events, climate change, predation and other disturbances mean the future is uncertain.

We continue to look to our co-management partners, Aboriginal leadership, communities and stakeholders for their continued support and advice on determining long-term management actions for our NWT barren ground caribou herd.

Mr. Speaker, I understand the hardship harvest restrictions places on harvesters, especially subsistence harvesters, and I intend to provide an update to this House in February on final survey results as well as proposed management actions for ensuring their conservation. Thank you.