In a bid to safeguard the Charlevoix boreal caribou and Gaspésie mountain caribou populations, the Gouvernement du Québec has unveiled a substantial investment of $59.5 million. This funding will facilitate the implementation of two regional projects and conservation measures aimed at preserving the species and its habitat. The announcement was made today by Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, and Minister Responsible for the Laurentides Region, in collaboration with Maïté Blanchette Vézina, Minister of Natural Resources and Forests and Minister Responsible for the Bas-Saint-Laurent and the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine Regions.
The proposed approach seeks to enhance predictability for local communities, especially Indigenous communities with a deep connection to the caribou and its habitat, while fostering regional economic growth in harmony with species protection. It acknowledges the endangered status of the caribou, the challenges posed by natural resource development, and the specific issues associated with recreational tourism. By implementing tailored projects for the Charlevoix and Gaspésie populations, the government aims to devise a balanced strategy that suits the unique characteristics of each region.
Consultations are being launched on the proposed projects for these two regions, along with a separate consultation involving the concerned Indigenous communities. The documentation and terms for participation in the consultations are available at [consultation.quebec.ca/?locale=en](https://consultation.quebec.ca/?locale=en).
Interested individuals are invited to submit their comments between April 30 and July 30, 2024, which will then be thoroughly analyzed.
Minister Benoit Charette stated, "Over the last few years, the government has carried out several consultations and held an independent commission to contribute to the preservation of the caribou while maintaining the vitality of the regions and communities. The proposals made today support our intention to legally protect the caribou habitat in keeping with the regional realities. That is why we are proposing an approach adapted to each of the regions that will support the participation of local stakeholders and First Nations."
Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina emphasized, "The government's intention has always been clear: to increase the protection of the Gaspésie boreal and mountain caribou, while ensuring the preservation of the economic vitality of our forestry communities. When we talk about forestry communities, we think about all of the workers and all of the businesses who live off the forest. That is what we are doing today. The upcoming consultations will allow us to discover what people have to say and to adapt the proposed plan accordingly. That is what we are aiming for, a balance between protecting biodiversity and the economic development of the concerned regions."
