Recommendations
Recommendations to Ministers regarding regulation changes
In April of 2006, the PCMB made the following recommendations to the Yukon and Northwest Territories Ministers of Environment:
- The Government of Yukon should enforce mandatory use of blaze orange safety vests or jackets by all hunters year-round in all Dempster Highway subzones within the Yukon.
- The Government of Yukon and the Government of the Northwest Territories should work with a sub-committee of the PCMB, in partnership with all relevant governments and user groups, to develop and implement educational programs incorporating traditional knowledge and cultural values.
The PCMB also renewed its recommendation for a second one-week closure to allow the leaders to cross the Dempster Highway undisburbed in both the northern and southern portions of the range.
The recommendations can be viewed here.
Yukon Minister's response to PCMB recommendations
On May 12, 2006, the Minister accepted the recommendations, but committed to undertake the appropriate government-to-government consultations with affected First Nations, as required.
The Minister concluded his consultations, and on April 30, 2007, he replied to the PCMB. You can view his letter here. Essentially, the Minister replied that he would not proceed with a regulation requiring use of blaze orange safety vests or with the second hunting closure along the Dempster Highway.
In his letter, the Minister indicated that he received mixed support from affected First Nations and Inuvialuit. In addition, the Minister indicated that he hoped that alternative solutions, or a broader support for the two proposed regulations, will come out of the Harvest Management Strategy. He went on to say that if the Harvest Management Strategy fails to address the conservation and safety concerns, then he would be prepared to implement measures on an emergency basis or on a long-term basis.
The PCMB agrees with the Minister that the Harvest Management Strategy is vital to the conservation of the herd. The PCMB also agrees that any regulations can potentially affect each user group differently, and that each user group has its own perspective. Thus, the Harvest Management Strategy, by bringing all parties together to discuss in person conservation concerns and potential, will indeed be the most effective way to ensure the caribou and the users can thrive.
It is important to note that the Minister had committed to the PCMB recommendation for a Porcupine Caribou Herd education program that incorporates traditional knowledge and cultural values, and this support continues.
Finally, the PCMB recognizes the Minister's commitment to supporting the Harvest Management Strategy. Unlike the PCMB regulation consultation process, in which all parties submit their comments only to the PCMB, the Strategy will allow parties to hear from each other and respond to each other's concerns. Thus, this Strategy is truly the best way to ensure the users can work together to identify their own recommendations.
REFERENCE DESK MENU
|