Guilbeault calls for decree to protect caribou in Quebec
Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbault will recommend that his government put in place a decree to better protect caribou in Quebec.
In a letter sent to his provincial counterpart Benoit Charette, the federal minister believes that caribou are not effectively protected in his province.
"This is a follow-up to our most recent telephone conversation. As mentioned in that call, it is my opinion, based on the information available, that virtually all of the caribou's (boreal caribou's) critical habitat located on non-federal land in Quebec is not effectively protected," wrote Guilbeault.
Last spring, Ottawa issued an ultimatum to the Legault government and threatened to intervene if Quebec did not present a plan to protect the caribou.
Premier François Legault warned the federal government not to interfere in what he considered a provincial matter.
Then, in August, the two parties announced that an agreement in principle had been reached to reduce the decline of the caribou.
But after reviewing an analysis by Environment and Climate Change Canada on caribou protection, Guilbault wrote that he is "now required by law to recommend to the Governor in Council that a protection order be made for unprotected portions of critical boreal caribou habitat."
Quebec plans to present a caribou protection plan in the coming months and Guilbeault referred to this in the letter sent to his counterpart.
"My advice does not affect the discussions that are currently taking place to find a sustainable solution for the caribou. I look forward to your final conservation strategy by the end of June 2023, which I am sure will be based on science and developed in consultation with Indigenous peoples. Look at the caribou situation as a way for Quebec to innovate in forest management and develop a model that will serve as an example for all of Canada," wrote Guilbeault.
- This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 6, 2023
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Person on fire outside Trump's hush money trial rushed away on a stretcher
A person who was on fire in a park outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump’s hush money trial is taking place has been rushed away on a stretcher.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Senators reject field trip to African Lion Safari amid elephant bill study
The Senate legal affairs committee has rejected a motion calling for members to take a $50,000 field trip to the African Lion Safari in southern Ontario to see the zoo's elephant exhibit.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Police in Paris detain a man wearing fake explosives vest at Iran's Consulate
A man wearing a fake explosive vest and making threats was detained Friday outside the Iranian Consulate in Paris after police locked down the area, authorities said. His motive was unclear.
DEVELOPING G7 warns of new sanctions against Iran as world reacts to apparent Israeli drone attack
Group of Seven foreign ministers warned of new sanctions against Iran on Friday for its drone and missile attack on Israel, and urged both sides to avoid an escalation of the conflict.
CFIA monitoring for avian flu in Canadian dairy cattle after U.S. discoveries
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency is encouraging veterinarians to keep an eye out for signs of avian influenza in dairy cattle following recent discoveries of cases of the disease in U.S. cow herds.
After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.