Statement: Government of Canada’s Approach to Addressing the Imminent Threats to Boreal Caribou in Quebec

Background

Caribou, Boreal population (henceforth: “boreal caribou”) are endemic to Canada’s boreal forest and are distributed across nine provinces and territories (approximately 24% of Canada’s terrestrial landscape). Boreal caribou has been listed as a threatened species under the Species at Risk Act (SARA) since 2003. Estimated at 34,000 individuals in Canada in 2012, populations are declining across much of the species’ distribution, primarily because of habitat loss and degradation due to human land use and the resulting changes in predator-prey dynamics. The species requires large areas of undisturbed boreal forest. Mature boreal forest ecosystems can take decades – and possibly more than 100 years in some areas – to recover from human-caused disturbance.

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change (the Minister) published a Recovery Strategy for the species in 2012, amended in 2020, that set a goal of achieving self-sustaining local populations in each of the 51 boreal caribou ranges (that is, the geographic area occupied by a group of individuals) across the country. The Recovery Strategy also identified critical habitat for boreal caribou based on multiple components, most notably that the species requires a minimum of 65% of each range to be in an undisturbed condition to provide a reasonable probability (60%) that a local population will be self-sustaining. In recognition of jurisdictional responsibilities for land and natural resource management, the Recovery Strategy recommends that provinces and territories develop range plans to outline a clear, credible path to achieving self-sustaining range conditions by managing and protecting boreal caribou habitat to maintain or reach at least 65% undisturbed habitat in each range.

Imminent threats to boreal caribou and recommendation

In 2023- 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada conducted an imminent threat assessment (ITA) focused on the threats posed by commercial activities and related road development across boreal caribou ranges in Quebec. The ITA identified three ranges to be most at-risk: Val-d’Or, Charlevoix, and Pipmuacan.

Supported by this assessment, on May 10, 2024, the Minister formed the opinion that boreal caribou is facing imminent threats to its recovery due to habitat destruction caused by the increase in logging for commercial activities and the related road network expansion.

The full ITA can be found here: Imminent threat for the Caribou, Boreal population - Species at risk registry

Having formed the opinion that boreal caribou is facing imminent threats to its recovery, the Minister was required under subsection 80(2) of SARA to recommend the making of an emergency order to protect boreal caribou. On June 19, 2024, the Government of Canada announced that it would begin public consultations to inform the scope and prohibitions of a potential emergency order to address the imminent threats faced by the three most at-risk boreal caribou populations in Quebec.

From June 19, 2024 to September 15, 2024, Environment and Climate Change Canada sought input from Quebec First Nations, the Canadian public, unions, and other interested parties, including local communities and industries, on the proposed scope of an order under section 80 of SARA to provide for the protection of boreal caribou. A report summarizing the outcomes of these consultations can be found here: Summary of the Consultations on the Proposed Scope of an Emergency Order for Boreal Caribou in Quebec

Approach to address the recovery of boreal caribou

Having considered:

• the Minister’s recommendation pursuant to subsection 80(2) of SARA
• the existing Canada-Quebec Nature Agreement and ongoing discussions with Quebec around caribou-specific conservation measures
• the expressed concerns of First Nations and environmental organizations regarding Quebec’s lack of engagement on caribou conservation and associated actions
• the honour of the Crown, Indigenous rights recognized and affirmed by section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982, and rights in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• the domestic and international commitments and priorities of the Government of Canada, including building a stronger and united Canada that recognizes the importance of reconciliation and nature; and
• the changing social, economic, and political environment

The Government of Canada has chosen, at this time, to pursue a collaborative approach, with the Government of Quebec and First Nations to support actions for the conservation and protection of boreal caribou in Quebec. This approach emphasizes the province’s lead role in the protection of the species, while providing funding to support boreal caribou stewardship actions to both Quebec and First Nations. Further, this approach  underscores the importance of collaboration between the federal and provincial governments, First Nations, local communities, and stakeholders to advance caribou recovery. The Government of Canada recognizes that boreal caribou hold significant cultural importance to Indigenous Peoples across Canada and that advancing conservation measures is an important step towards reconciliation. Indigenous Nations and organizations have been highly involved in issues related to boreal caribou and Canada is committed to continuing to work with Indigenous partners as well as consulting Indigenous partners on implementation of those measures.

The Government of Quebec is responsible for 98% of caribou critical habitat in the province, so provincial leadership is essential to implement the long-term habitat protections and improvements required for the species to achieve recovery. The conservation and sustainable management of boreal caribou habitat, and the boreal forest as a whole through sustainable forestry practices, can help address nature and biodiversity goals committed to by both the Government of Canada and the Government of Quebec. This will require a whole of government approach, at all levels, in collaboration with other interested partners and stakeholders.

The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Quebec to implement tangible conservation actions for boreal caribou and to achieve long term recovery for the species in collaboration with Indigenous partners.

Departmental Contact

Strategic Priorities Directorate
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
Place Vincent Massey
11th floor
Gatineau QC  K1A 0H3

Phone: 1-800-668-6767
Email: caribou@ec.gc.ca