Government of Canada to Improve Peary Caribou Habitat in Qausuittuq National Park

August 22, 2019              Qausuittuq National Park, Nunavut        Parks Canada Agency

The Government of Canada is committed to preserving our national parks, protecting and restoring healthy, resilient ecosystems and contributing to the recovery of species at risk.

Today, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, announced a federal investment of $584,000 for a conservation project that will improve critical caribou habitat in Qausuittuq National Park.

The Tidy Tundra = Healthy Herd project will remove abandoned industrial debris from past exploration activities and create a healthier habitat for caribou. Prior to the establishment of Qausuittuq National Park, oil and gas explorations in the 1960s and 70s left behind industrial waste that can prevent caribou from feeding in certain areas, could cause physical injury, and, in some cases, is a barrier to the movement and migratory paths of caribou. These cleanup activities have been identified as a priority by Inuit and the community of Resolute Bay and is an important step towards improving Peary Caribou habitat and restoring the landscape within this newly formed national park.

The Government of Canada is taking action to protect species at risk, such as the Peary Caribou in Qausuittuq National Park. Peary Caribou are the smallest subspecies of caribou, and the Government of Canada has made protecting the endangered Peary Caribou and their habitat a priority in the establishment and management of Qausuittuq National Park.

The Tidy Tundra = Healthy Herd project is in its second phase. The first phase of the project focused on consultations with the community of Resolute Bay, reconnaissance visits to identify waste sites, planning logistics and beginning to remove empty fuel barrels. During the second phase of the project, Parks Canada will return to the sites that require further clean-up.

Parks Canada partners with Indigenous communities and organizations across the country to conserve and restore our nature and important habitat, often through the use of traditional knowledge, and collaborates extensively with academic and scientific institutions on ecological projects. By working together, we can protect our environment and conserve our nature for future generations.

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