Innu Nations in northern Quebec want better protection of the woodland caribou

Two Innu Nations in northern Quebec say they’re not satisfied with how the provincial government is handling protections for Woodland Caribou herds. Both Essipit and Mashteuiatsh Nations say they’re pushing for a legal resolution. “Quebec right now is not doing much and it doesn’t look good in the near future,” said Michael Ross, director of development and territory for Essipit First Nation. Ross said his community submitted new documents to the court on May 1 to request for a mediator to hold Quebec accountable and come to a resolution. Both parties have yet to come to a mutual agreement on how to protect the caribou. Ross said the woodland caribou population has been declining in Quebec since the late 1990s “With the forestry roads and forestry logging companies coming in, there’s less and less like good habitat for the caribou to survive,” he said. “So basically, they’ve been declining a lot. so basically, that’s why we want to make sure that we, we were consulted and accommodated to protect what’s left of caribou habitat.” The Woodland Caribou, also known as the boreal caribou, has been listed as endangered in Canada since 2003, according to the federal government and has fewer than “34,000 individuals.” Approximately 15 per cent of Canada’s total population of woodland caribou are in Quebec. The issue has been in the courts between Quebec and both Essipit and Mashteuiatsh First Nations since 2022. Quebec is arguing that protecting the caribou would adversely affect the forest industry. APTN News reached out to Quebec’s Minister of Sustainable Development and Environment Benoit Charette for comment, but we did not receive a response. But a statement from the federal government said Canada is committed to investing $100 million in all conservation efforts in the province which includes protecting the caribou. It said the government is open to investing more and working with both the Quebec and First Nations to strengthen preservation efforts. In June 2024, the federal government issued an emergency order to protect the caribou herd. There is no word on when – or whether – a mediator will be appointed. Continue Reading