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Quebec has 13 herds of forest and mountain caribou. The latest population estimate reported a total population of just over 5,200 individuals. (Archive photo)
This agreement, which would allow transfers of money from the federal government to Quebec, aims to establish common objectives between both governments to meet the requirements of the Canadian Species at Risk Act.
From 2018 to 2022, the previous agreement allowed Quebec to receive $8.3 million from the federal government, only for the protection of caribou.
Steven Guilbeault still does not close the door to intervention by the federal government in Quebec to protect the critical habitat of the woodland caribou.
Two distinct processes were successively launched by the minister's office.
The first has never been used in the country, namely the decree to curb the destruction of the critical habitat of a species in peril, also called the safety net. If a province or territory does not do enough, the law provides for federal intervention. The holder of the ministry, in this case Steven Guilbeault, even has a legal obligation to do so.
The objective of this measure would be to limit the uses permitted in certain territories in order to reduce an acceptable rate of disturbance.
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Logging deprives woodland caribou of their essential habitat, more than 80% of which is disturbed in some cases. (File photo)
At the end of an analysis by his ministry presented in February 2023, the minister concluded that almost all of the critical habitat of the woodland caribou was not adequately protected in Quebec. I am required to recommend to the Governor in Council the issuance of a protection order for the unprotected parts of the critical habitat of the boreal caribou, he said.
This recommendation was made last winter, but the Trudeau government's cabinet of ministers opted instead for a collaborative approach with Quebec. Mr. Guilbeault does not rule out returning to the charge this spring if the Legault government does not meet the May 1 deadline.
Ottawa could also use emergency decrees for certain herds in more critical situations.
First mentioned last fall, emergency decrees are triggered in the event of an imminent threat to the survival or recovery of an endangered species protected by law. First Nations have lobbied Ottawa for such decrees to be evaluated. threats to the Government of Quebec and First Nations during the week of February 12, 2024 in order to obtain comments, writes Steven Guilbeault in his letter to Minister Charette sent last week.
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The mountain caribou of Gaspésie number more than thirty and form an ecotype distinct from other woodland caribou herds. (Archive photo)
Therefore, if I conclude that the species faces imminent threats to its survival or recovery, I will be required, under the Species Act in danger, to recommend to the Governor in Council to issue an emergency decree, he specifies.
The last inventory in Quebec, reported by the Independent Commission on Forest and Mountain Caribou, in 2022, reported 5,252 animals divided into 13 herds.
The herds of Val-d'Or and Charlevoix live today in protective enclosures, while the mountain caribou of Gaspésie are subject to capture of females in order to protect the fawns from predators. birth.
Several herds, including the Pipmuacan herd, are approaching critical thresholds of decline.
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