endangered species

Nelson Sergerie, LJI Journalist

MURDOCHVILLE – Québec remains convinced that it is possible to protect caribou while maintaining economic activities. 

The Ministry of the Environment is still analyzing the comments from stakeholders that were gathered during the consultation on the pilot project filed last April in Sainte-Anne-des-Monts. 

One of the key concerns raised by Osisko Metals, a company aiming to relaunch Mines Gaspé in Murdochville, is that the caribou protection territory extends to the area where the company holds claims and certain exploration sectors. 

Despite the doubts repeatedly raised about the combination of species protection and economic development by stakeholders in the ecology community, the minister responsible maintains that it is possible to achieve harmony. 

“We are in discussion on the pilot project submitted. Osisko Metals has commented on the pilot project. We are in analysis on the Ministry of the Environment side on the impacts on economic development. We have always said that it was important to do both. I am convinced that we can do both,” stated the Minister of Natural Resources, Maïté Blanchette Vézina, questioned on the subject during her January 13 visit to Murdochville. 

Meanwhile, 19 caribou are in captivity in an enclosure specifically built for them in the Parc de la Gaspésie. According to the Ministry of Wildlife, the caribou are doing well. Analyses to determine the gestation of the females begin in February. 

However, the Ministry of Wildlife is not disclosing data on the nine caribou presumed to have remained in the wild following a capture operation last year, indicating that they will be published shortly. 

An inventory was conducted last fall to determine the total number of caribou. 

Another capture operation is planned for the winter of 2025, to continue deploying telemetric collars. 

Regarding the potential release of the caribou in captivity in 2025, the ministry indicates that sporadic releases are planned depending on the health of the caribou in captivity, the annual birth report and the monitoring of the caribou population in the wild.