How Did Canada's Most Populous Ungulate End up on Ontario's Endangered Species List?
TORONTO, May 21, 2015 /CNW/ - Despite declarations by special interest environmental groups that there is a caribou crisis in Ontario, a review of Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (MNRF) research, scientific evidence, and an assessment of all available and up-to-date data demonstrates that caribou populations are persisting in Ontario.
Jamie Lim, President and CEO of OFIA, explained, "Considering the information contained in the OFIA Woodlands Committee's Op-Ed, we are asking Government to hit the pause button and review all new and existing woodland caribou policy in Ontario."
Even though the caribou is the most abundant wild hoofed animal in Canada, it has been divided into ecotypes. It is the 'forest dwelling' woodland caribou ecotype that is listed as threatened in Ontario. Testing the ecotype theory has been a massive research effort, with more than 50 projects being conducted by MNRF scientists and biologists, supported by academics and the forest industry.
Christine Leduc, Director of Forest Conservation, said, "This considerable research effort has not yielded evidence to support the ecotype theory in Ontario. With close to 600 caribou tracked, up to 125 people involved and after 11 million dollars, the MNRF now has an inventory of where caribou roam in Ontario. This data should be used to review the ecotype differentiation and adjust the caribou range boundaries."
OFIA's op-ed explains:
Lim concluded, "Caribou policy must be based on solid, defendable science that is used in balance with both social and economic considerations, especially in light of what is at stake for hardworking families, the North, and Ontario's renewable natural resource – forestry."
Ontario's renewable forest products sector supports 175,000 direct and indirect jobs in over 260 Ontario communities. The Ontario Forest Industries Association (OFIA) is comprised of 32 member companies. OFIA believes that by working with government to address key competitive issues, secure long term access to affordable and accessible fibre and promote the province's 21st century forest products sector, Ontario will be the number one jurisdiction in Canada for today's green and growing renewable sector.
SOURCE ONTARIO FOREST INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION
Image with caption: "Counting Caribou (CNW Group/ONTARIO FOREST INDUSTRIES ASSOCIATION)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150521_C5929_PHOTO_EN_16826.jpg
PDF available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2015/05/21/20150521_C5929_PDF_EN_16828.pdf
Jamie Lim, President & CEO; Christine Leduc, Director of Forest Conservation; Phone: 416-368-6188
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