Boreal caribou in nature (CNW Group/Environment and Climate Change Canada)

By Justin Goulet

Protecting Wildlife

Alberta and Canada governments reach caribou conservation deal

Oct 23, 2020 | 9:37 AM

EDMONTON, AB – The governments of Canada and Alberta have entered into a conservation agreement to help protect woodland caribou in the province.

Due to habitat changes and increased predation, Alberta’s caribou populations have declined in recent years. The conservation agreement is under section 11 of the federal Species at Risk Act.

“The Government of Alberta along with Indigenous Peoples, industry stakeholders, and many others have taken steps to support caribou recovery, and I believe this agreement will help fulfill obligations to future generations of Canadians,” said the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

“The Government of Canada recognizes that at this time, this collaborative approach—as opposed to an order under the Species at Risk Act—represents the best path forward for the conservation and recovery of boreal and southern mountain caribou in Alberta.”

This agreement supports Alberta’s ongoing caribou recovery program.

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“Our negotiated section 11 agreement puts Alberta’s needs first, instead of having an order imposed on us under the Species at Risk Act. Alberta’s government will continue to work with our many partners on developing common-sense solutions to protect caribou populations, maintain jobs and grow local economies,” said Alberta’s Minister of Environment and Parks, Jason Nixon.

“Albertans want to ensure that their communities have input on caribou recovery solutions that work. That is why I established three Caribou task forces made up of people who have a stake in these important caribou ranges.”

Nixon added that the agreement also builds on momentum created last year through the province’s Caribou Sub-regional Task Forces.

“[The deal] establishes timelines for the work of the task forces, including consideration of social, economic and environmental values when advising on sub-regional plans,” he said.

The agreement includes the following:

• Moving ahead with land-use planning that enables a working landscape and supports achievement of caribou recovery goals.
• Mechanisms for approving oil and gas and forestry projects that align with caribou recovery outcomes.
• Considering socio-economic implications of conservation and recovery measures needed.
• Restoring critical caribou habitat by planting trees in historical seismic lines.
• Managing wildlife population to support caribou recovery.
• Monitoring caribou population, habitat status, and recovery trends.

Both governments say they are committed to sharing information and engaging with Indigenous Peoples on progress related to the implementation of measures in the agreement and opportunities to work together.