pdf Délı̨nę Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę Responses - SRRB Questions 16-05-04 Popular

This document contains responses by the Délı̨nę Ɂehdzo Got'ı̨nę (Renewable Resources Council)  to two questions posed by the Ɂehzo Got'ı̨nę Gots'ę́ Nákedı in a letter dated April 21 related to the Belarewı́le Gots'ę́ Ɂekwę́ proposal.

The questions addressed are as follows:

1. There was evidence at the SRRB and WRRB hearings about how different user groups from the Tłı̨chǫ, Nunavut and Sahtú all use the Bluenose East herd. You have had time to think about the questions raised by Colville Lake in the March 1-3 hearings, and the evidence from the regions in the April 6-8 hearings in Behchokǫ̀. Do you have more thoughts about how you see the plan interacting with plans developed for other user groups, such as the Tłı̨chǫ and other Sahtu communities?

2. This question is about how you see the Plan and Code relating to enforcement under the Wildlife Act, if people do not follow the harvesting thresholds you have set out.

   Délı̨nę’s Code proposes an alternative community-based enforcement process for dealing with people who do not follow the caribou harvesting code. That process, as we understand it, starts with the person's family speaking directly to the person who is not abiding by the Code, then moves to a Sentencing Circle process and then, if it is not resolved, referral of the matter to GNWT for enforcement under the Wildlife Act. Enforcement is an area outside the SRRB's jurisdiction but the ability of Délı̨nę to demonstrate that the Code will be effective is an important consideration in understanding the conservation implications of the Plan and Code. The Board is aware that there are mechanisms under the Wildlife Act that allow for alternative enforcement programs. For instance, the Wildlife Act allows alternative enforcement measures can be used to deal with offences under the Wildlife Act if certain conditions are met. One of those conditions, for example, is that an alternative enforcement program would have to be authorized by the Minister of Justice.

   Do you see the entire three-step Délı̨nę Code enforcement program being an alternative under the existing Wildlife Act, or do you see the Délı̨nę enforcement program as a process completely outside the Wildlife Act that is recognized by the Wildlife Act as an alternative only at the third and last step in the proposed process?

   Would Délı̨nę be willing to work with the GNWT to develop an alternative enforcement measures program authorized by the GNWT Minister of Justice?