The Federal Government has extended the consultation period for an emergency order aimed at protecting Quebec's boreal caribou until September 15, 2024.
This decision follows requests from Indigenous communities and stakeholders for more time to engage in discussions regarding the protection of three at-risk caribou populations: Val-d'Or, Charlevoix, and Pipmuacan.
Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault emphasized the urgency of the situation, noting that the extension allows for a more comprehensive strategy from the Government of Quebec. He expressed the federal government's willingness to collaborate with Quebec, stating that effective provincial measures could eliminate the need for federal intervention.
The emergency order is a response to significant threats faced by these caribou populations, primarily due to habitat disturbances from logging and road networks. The federal government has a legal responsibility to act if the provincial strategy is inadequate. The extension aims to ensure thorough consultations while addressing the urgent need to protect the caribou habitat.
