Alberta voices are needed to protect caribou

Minister wants citizens to contribute to range plans

The woodland caribou is an iconic Canadian species, a key part of Alberta’s boreal forests.

In parts of Alberta, these caribou are also in trouble. That’s why our government is developing range plans to protect vulnerable herds. And as we move forward, we want all Albertans to understand what we’re doing and why.

Alberta’s caribou have been widely studied but poorly managed.

Decades of inaction and habitat fragmentation led to the gradual decline in numbers in many of our 15 populations. Under federal law, they’re officially a threatened species. We maintain the status quo at our peril. Under federal law, Alberta is legally required to create and submit a management plan by October 2017. Ignoring those federal legal demands could be disastrous.

A made-in- Ottawa plan might strangle development and cost Alberta thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in economic spinoffs.

Last week, the province launched an online survey — as part of our efforts to build a first draft of our range planning process.

It’s important we start by talking to Albertans, particularly those most affected.

Communities across the province have a lot at stake and will play a crucial role in the future of the woodland caribou.

We want to hear about the best ways to respond to this complex environmental challenge. We also want Albertans to know the facts, which is why we’re working hard to ensure transparency and to keep information

Our goal is to protect local jobs and to create economic certainty while helping caribou.

front and centre. Our goal is to protect local jobs and to create economic certainty while helping caribou herds recover. It won’t be easy.

In addition to the public survey, the Government of Alberta is also conducting targeted engagement with municipalities, Indigenous communities, industry and other stakeholders. Many of these conversations are already underway and will continue in coming months.

The government began working on some of the most challenging aspects of caribou planning soon after the 2015 election.

Last year, Alberta released a draft range plan for A La Peche and Little Smoky, two of the most severely affected ranges. We worked with industry on a plan to remove seismic lines, and with other stakeholders to build a framework that makes sense for that region.

Our new survey is part of a bigger opportunity — requiring more voices — to build the first draft of range plans for the entire province.

At the end of the day, Alberta’s caribou range plans will be about choices.

By not tackling this head on, we let Ottawa decide our fate. We run the risk of a federal protection order that would hurt local economies, and we face the possibility of years in court.

That’s why we think action is the right choice. By moving forward with a made-in-Alberta plan, we can provide certainty. We will work with industry and Albertans to strike a balance between critical caribou habit and northern Alberta hoping to attract investment and jobs.

The federal government’s timeline is fixed. Industry stakeholders have told us that a lack of action will force them into layoffs.

This conversation is just a first opportunity to have your say. Once we have a draft plan, we will make it public.

We will come back to Albertans before finalizing the range plans.

Throughout the process, the survey website will remain the place to go to get the most up-to-date information.

Alberta’s woodland caribou are iconic Canadian animals. But they are now at a junction. It is our hope that for generations to come, they remain a key part of our boreal forests.

But first we need a plan.

And we need your help to get there.