In a few weeks, the spotlight will be on Quebec and Canada when Montreal hosts the 15e meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, a major event which aims to adopt a global framework to halt the decline of life and achieve a common vision of what it is to live in harmony with nature. The Government of Quebec has every interest in taking significant action on the protection of woodland and mountain caribou before the start of COP15. Its international credibility in terms of biodiversity depends on it.
Two ministers have the opportunity to enhance Quebec’s credibility: the Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks, Benoit Charette, and the Minister of Natural Resources and Forests, Maïté Blanchette Vézina . Although the separation of “wildlife” and “forest” responsibilities is viewed favorably, the protection of caribou and biodiversity requires close collaboration between the two ministers. Several concrete actions are within their reach and offer a real opportunity to demonstrate Quebec City’s desire to protect caribou. We offer three.
Implement a moratorium to protect large tracts of mature forest. More than two months ago, the Independent Commission on Woodland and Mountain Caribou, whose excellent work we salute, submitted its recommendations while emphasizing the urgency of action. At the top of the list, the Commission proposed the protection of large tracts of mature forest and other favorable sectors by administrative measures pending the implementation of the global strategy.
So why not follow the first recommendation by establishing moratoriums now to protect the last stands, essential components of caribou habitat? This measure, which could be implemented easily and quickly, would represent a strong gesture as well as a significant gain for biodiversity.
Announce the modernization of the Threatened and Vulnerable Species Act. Full and lasting protection of the habitats of endangered species is essential to help stop the decline of biodiversity in Quebec. A country hosting an event of such magnitude as COP15 cannot allow the destruction of the habitat of species at risk on its own territory or slow down the species designation process without damaging its credibility.
In this sense, Quebec could also announce the modernization of the Act respecting threatened and vulnerable species and provide for a transparent designation mechanism, like the federal government.
Take caribou into account when allocating timber volumes. As for forest management, Minister Blanchette Vézina must ensure that her department stops perpetuating a forest management strategy that ignores a possible caribou protection plan. His first actions as Minister responsible for forests will be crucial for the future of endangered populations. A golden opportunity for the minister will be up for grabs in a few weeks.
The allocation of timber volumes for harvesting to forestry companies is to take place soon. These volumes, which will be valid for the next five years, will be determined without integrating the elements of the caribou protection strategy. On the eve of COP15, giving free rein to these powers would send a contradictory message, to say the least.
In December, the eyes of the whole world will be on Montreal, where decisive decisions will be made for the future of biodiversity and our living environments. It is the responsibility of the Ministers of Wildlife, Environment and Forests to set an example by adequately and permanently protecting the caribou, one of the emblems of our biodiversity.
Its protection would not only make it possible to preserve a whole section of biodiversity, but also to raise the hope that Quebecers and the States need to mobilize in the face of this great extinction of life. No one wants to imagine a future where living in harmony with biodiversity would come down to the proliferation of caribou zoos.