Urges GN Cabinet to reconsider decision and consult with communities
March 10, 2016 – The Beverly and Qamanirjuaq Caribou Management Board (BQCMB) is adding its voice to the growing number of organizations protesting the Government of Nunavut’s recent decision to change its position on development in caribou calving grounds.
The change is an about-face from the GN’s former position, which called for no development on caribou calving grounds and key access corridors, the most crucial portions of post-calving areas.
“The calving ground is where all caribou are born,” said BQCMB Chair Earl Evans, a traditional hunter from Fort Smith, N.W.T. “Failing to protect calving grounds and other vital caribou habitat in Nunavut is going to impact all harvesters and communities who depend on the herds to feed their families, including many of us outside Nunavut.”
The BQCMB believes the GN should support the wishes of caribou harvesters, their communities and organizations from across Nunavut, the Northwest Territories, northern Manitoba and northern Saskatchewan, which have stated their views over and over again – no development should occur on caribou calving grounds.
“The BQCMB was much more comfortable with the GN’s 2014 position, which was maintained until the unexpected change last week” adds Ross Thompson, BQCMB Executive Director. “The original position gave us encouragement that scientific, traditional and community knowledge was being considered. Now, their position favours seasonal restrictions, which don’t protect habitat, and reliance on the existing regulatory system. This sudden decision was made by the GN Cabinet without consultation with communities or input from its Department of Environment.
Communities and organizations involved in the long and intensive process to develop a Nunavut-wide land use plan spearheaded by the Nunavut Planning Commission (NPC) have been hit hard by the GN decision, according to Thompson. “Voices were being heard. Now we need to work even harder for protection of calving grounds because of a decision made by legislators who did not consult with those affected.”
Despite the GN’s position, the BQCMB believes necessary caribou protection can still be achieved through the land use planning process, in part due to the hard work that is continuing this week by those in attendance at the NPC’s caribou workshop in Iqaluit, and that the NPC will stay on track to protect the calving grounds.
The BQCMB strongly urges the GN Cabinet to reconsider its position reversal and consult with communities and organizations. “To do otherwise will lead to an unsustainable future for caribou and the traditional harvesters of this resource,” explains Thompson.
That future of traditional economies is already threatened for many communities dependent on the harvest of caribou, including the Qamanirjuaq herd, as evidenced by the results of the 2014 population survey. The 23% decline since 2008 – from 344,000 to 264,000 – raised alarm bells and suggests a major problem for the herd and its harvesters.
That is one reason why the GN’s decision is irresponsible, says Thompson. “Most caribou herds are declining, traditional harvesters are experiencing hardship, and protection of the calving grounds is needed now more than ever before.”
For more information, contact:
Ross Thompson
BQCMB Executive Director
Email: rossthompson@mymts.net
or
Lynne Bereza
Editor, Caribou News in Brief
Email: caribounews@outlook.com
