Quebec could lose up to $900M with federal decree to protect caribou population

The federal government estimates that implementing an emergency decree to protect Quebec's declining woodland caribou population could cost the province's economy between $670 million and $895 million over the next decade.

Radio-Canada reports that Ottawa anticipates the decree will impact 53 companies and put 1,400 forestry jobs at risk. Additionally, it would affect 28 communities dependent on forestry.

These figures are based on a preliminary impact analysis report from last month, produced by Environment Canada and Natural Resources Canada. The analysis remains subject to consultations, which will continue until September 15.

The majority of these losses would stem from reduced resource exploitation capabilities of affected companies, with an estimated operational drop of around four percent, a finding supported by provincial data.

Last month, Federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault recommended the emergency decree to protect woodland caribou, as some herds are nearing "near-disappearance." Guilbeault has criticized Quebec for not doing enough to preserve the caribou population, which has significantly declined in recent years.

The federal Environment Ministry estimates that Quebec's woodland caribou population ranges between 6,162 and 7,445.

The decree could prohibit logging and the construction of new logging roads in three high-risk areas for the woodland caribou: Val-d'Or, Charlevoix, and Pipmuacan, which span the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean and Côte-Nord regions.

This emergency order is authorized under Section 80 of the Species at Risk Act (SARA), which mandates the federal environment minister to recommend action if a species faces imminent threats to its survival or recovery. Once enacted, the decree can last for up to five years.

Quebec's response

In response to Radio-Canada's report, Quebec Minister of Natural Resources Maïte Blanchette Vézina's office criticized Guilbeault for underestimating the decree's impact on the affected regions.

"He needs to back down; we can't afford to put thousands of workers out of a job," the statement reads.

Radio-Canada reports that the companies affected by the emergency decree would include 35 sawmills, 10 wood product manufacturing plants, three pulp and paper mills, two cogeneration and energy production facilities, and three harvesting co-operatives.

When asked about potential compensation for the losses incurred by businesses and communities, Guilbeault’s office indicated that negotiations with Quebec are ongoing in hopes of reaching an agreement that might make the decree unnecessary.

"We remain hopeful that Quebec will work with us to find a solution for the recovery of the caribou in the three herds," the statement said.

"As for the decree, it is still under consultation, so it is too early to determine the final figures."