LA RONGE, SASKATCHEWAN–(Marketwired – April 25, 2014) – Western Economic Diversification Canada
Today, Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament for Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River, on behalf of the Honourable Michelle Rempel, Minister of State for Western Economic Diversification, announced a $350,000 federal investment toward the monitoring of caribou herds in northern Saskatchewan. Data collected from tracking Woodland Caribou will help mining and construction firms, as well as local and provincial governments, to cost-effectively prepare responsible resource development plans that include measures to protect the herds.
The Saskatchewan Mining Association (SMA) is partnering with Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD) and the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) to conduct the comprehensive five-year study. In March, researchers with the U of S Department of Biology ‘collared’ 120 Woodland Caribou, outfitting them with the latest global positioning satellite (GPS) technology.
Under Environment Canada’s Species at Risk Act, Canada’s Woodland Caribou population is considered ‘threatened’. Until now, limited data on Woodland Caribou prevented industry from developing appropriate plans to alleviate disturbances to the animals’ habitat. Information collected from this tracking program is expected to close this data gap, allowing mining and construction companies, as well as government, to develop strategies to protect the herds. Ultimately, the U of S study is expected to help the Province of Saskatchewan develop a Range Management Plan for Woodland Caribou in Saskatchewan within Environment Canada’s national recovery strategy.
Quick Facts
Mining is Saskatchewan’s third largest industry and contributes over $7 billion in Gross Domestic Product.
Saskatchewan is one of the top 3 mineral producing regions in Canada with annual sales over $7.2 billion.
Mining is the largest private sector employer of Aboriginal peoples in Canada.
Quotes
“Our Government is committed to the responsible development of our natural resources. We are proud to support this project which will help protect caribou and other wildlife in northern Saskatchewan by ensuring that companies have the information necessary for their continued growth.”
– Rob Clarke, Member of Parliament, Desnethé-Missinippi-Churchill River
“Environment Canada has acknowledged that only about three per cent of Saskatchewan’s boreal shield area is disturbed because of existing human developments such as communities and mining operations. We are pleased to participate in a study that will improve the quality of data on Woodland Caribou populations in the boreal shield region of Saskatchewan, and that will also provide some insight into their critical habitat and how the caribou adjust to parts of their range being disturbed by forest fires.”
– Pam Schwann, Executive Director, Saskatchewan Mining Association
Additional Links
– Canada’s Responsible Resource Development & its Benefits to Saskatchewan: http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?mthd=advSrch&crtr.mnthndVl=4&crtr.mnthStrtVl=1&crtr.page=1&nid=690059&crtr.yrndVl=2014&crtr.kw=resource+development&crtr.yrStrtVl=2002&crtr.dyStrtVl=1&crtr.dyndVl=14
– Saskatchewan Mining Association: http://www.saskmining.ca/
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Joanne Mysak
Communications Manager
Western Economic Diversification Canada
306-975-5965
joanne.mysak@wd-deo.gc.ca
Pam Schwann
Executive Director
Saskatchewan Mining Association
Regina, SK
306-757-9505
pschwann@saskmining.ca
WD Toll-Free Number: 1-888-338-WEST (9378)
Teletypewriter (TTY): 1-877-303-3388
Website: WD is online at www.wd-deo.gc.ca