Conservation Agreement for Boreal Caribou in Ontario

Ontario and Canada have been working together to identify outcomes, conservation measures, and actions for inclusion in a bilateral conservation agreement for boreal caribou under section 11 of the federal Species at Risk Act. Ontario and Canada recognize that achieving boreal caribou protection and recovery will consider biological, social, and economic factors to achieve balanced outcomes in Northern Ontario.

Given the ongoing progress on these bilateral negotiations, and conscious of the importance and widespread interest in such a conservation agreement, we want to provide an opportunity for input from Ontarians, Indigenous communities and organizations, and stakeholders.

1. Context

   The boreal caribou is listed as threatened under the federal Species at Risk Act (SARA) and Ontario’s Endangered Species Act, 2007 (ESA).

   It is estimated that there are roughly 5,000 boreal caribou in Ontario. The boreal population of caribou was formerly found throughout most of northern Ontario. Its range has receded and the species is generally found north of Sioux Lookout, Geraldton and Cochrane with a few isolated populations further south along the shoreline and islands of Lake Superior. Thirteen boreal caribou ranges have been delineated in the northern area of Continuous Distribution in Ontario (six of which make up what is currently recognized federally as the “Far North Range”). A fourteenth range, the Lake Superior Coast Range, is located farther south, along the northeast shore of Lake Superior. The Lake Superior Coast Range is separated from the northern ranges by lands called the Discontinuous Distribution.

   Boreal caribou require large, undisturbed areas of old conifer upland forest and lowlands to separate themselves from alternate prey (e.g. moose) and predators (e.g. wolves). Threats to the boreal caribou include habitat alteration (loss, degradation and fragmentation) due to human land use activities. Caribou are also at risk from climate change, forest fires and insects, as well as an increase in predation and disease that accompanies such broad habitat changes.

   Canada and Ontario have a shared responsibility for the protection and recovery of species at risk in the province. As a threatened species under both SARA and the ESA, both levels of government are taking action to support the conservation of the boreal caribou in Ontario.

   Under their respective legislation and policy frameworks, Ontario and Canada are committed to maintaining or achieving self-sustaining local populations of caribou in Ontario. Ontario and Canada intend to negotiate a conservation agreement that will describe how they will work collaboratively to implement conservation measures that rely on evidence-based approaches, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge to achieve this outcome.

   The overarching goal of the conservation agreement will be for Ontario, with financial and implementation support from Canada, to work collaboratively with partners to sustain or improve the environmental conditions necessary for recovery of the boreal caribou at the range scale. For example, Ontario will use range-scale analysis to inform conservation, resource management and other development activities to contribute to the protection, management, and mitigation of impacts on boreal caribou critical habitat outcomes (i.e., disturbance levels and biophysical attributes) set out in the federal Recovery Strategy.

   The purpose of a bilateral conservation agreement will be to support the implementation of conservation measures that create the environmental conditions necessary to maintain and recover self-sustaining local populations of boreal caribou.

   At the federal level, Canada has legislative responsibility for wildlife species located on federal lands, and wildlife species listed under SARA, which includes provisions to address recovery, as well as the protection of listed wildlife species including the individuals, their residences and critical habitat on non-federal land in certain circumstances (e.g., if the Governor in Council makes an order). The federal Recovery Strategy for the Woodland Caribou, Boreal population (Rangifer tarandus caribou) in Canada (2020) highlights federal objectives for recovering the species, and includes an identification of its critical habitat (i.e., the habitat necessary for the survival or recovery of the species which includes both biophysical attributes and disturbance threshold (i.e., 65% undisturbed habitat)). The Action Plan for the Woodland Caribou (Rangifer tarandus caribou), Boreal Population, in Canada: Federal Actions (2018) outlines the recovery measures that Canada is taking or will take to help achieve recovery for boreal caribou, including Canada’s intention to explore conservation agreements with provinces and territories and other parties, as appropriate, to formalize the commitments each party is making to protect and recover boreal caribou. The federal SARA enables Canada to enter into a conservation agreement with any government in Canada, organization or person to benefit a species at risk or enhance its survival in the wild. These agreements provide a stewardship approach to species conservation that are consistent with the purposes of SARA.

   At the provincial level, Ontario has legislative authority for species at risk, wildlife management, and decisions respecting natural resources and provincial Crown and private lands, and has the responsibility to lead conservation measures for boreal caribou in the province. Ontario has a robust provincial framework that includes laws, policies and processes to protect and recover caribou and their habitat in Ontario including the ESA, Ontario’s Woodland Caribou Conservation Plan (2009), and Range Management Policy in Support of Woodland Caribou Conservation and Recovery (2014). Under the ESA, Ontario takes a “Range Management Approach” for boreal caribou, focusing on the management of cumulative disturbance within the range. Ontario’s Range Management Policy sets out principles related to cumulative disturbance, habitat amount and arrangement, and sub-range habitat features. Ontario also has a provincial forest management planning framework that includes the Crown Forest Sustainability Act, 1994, the Forest Management Planning Manual (2017), and the Forest Management Guide for Boreal Landscapes (2014), which collectively support the sustainable management of Ontario’s Crown forests including management for boreal caribou habitat.

   The management of cumulative disturbance within each range will be an important consideration for Canada and Ontario, one that follows through on the goal of the federal recovery strategy and builds upon Ontario’s Range Management Policy (2014) which sets out principles related to cumulative disturbance, habitat amount and arrangement, and sub-range habitat features.

   It is important to remember that our conservation agreement will build upon already existing actions taken by Ontario, the forestry, mining, electricity, and other sectors, non-governmental organizations, academics, municipalities, Indigenous communities and organizations. However, the new agreement will include enhancements regarding a range-scale approach to science, monitoring, habitat restoration, reporting, and other conservation measures, as described below, to further conserve boreal caribou in Ontario. These measures are aimed at enhancing caribou conservation in the context of broader socio-economic interests.

   Canada and Ontario recognize that the recovery of boreal caribou will also require a landscape-level approach and will require a combination of habitat and population management actions applied over time. Further, both parties recognize that adaptive management will be required to ensure that conservation measures undertaken are monitored and, as necessary, improved and adapted to incorporate new information or changed circumstances, and that overall success of conservation measures in achieving recovery will be best evaluated at the range scale.

   The Lake Superior Coast Range is unique due to its isolation, small size, shoreline location and inclusion of small nearshore and large off-shore islands, and therefore will require a separate approach to management than is taken in the other Ontario ranges.

   Canada and Ontario believe that the environment and economy go hand in hand and that we can ensure the survival of this iconic species while guaranteeing our continued prosperity.

   The conservation agreement will support conservation measures to work towards the maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local populations of boreal caribou, and recognize the social and cultural well-being of northern and Indigenous communities, and the economic prosperity of Ontario businesses and the communities that depend on them today and in the future.

   The agreement will also take into account the mitigation of socioeconomic impacts on communities and evaluate the impacts to sectors/projects (e.g. Indigenous community roads in the Ring of Fire region, transmission lines to northern/Indigenous communities, forestry, mineral exploration and development, etc.) to provide for the economic prosperity of Ontario business and the communities that depend on them today and in the future.

   The agreement will outline how Canada and Ontario will collaborate over the next five years. Canada and Ontario will seek out opportunities to collaborate in the development and implementation of the conservation measures with industry, municipalities, environmental non-government organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations. The conservation measures described in the final conservation agreement will be informed by input received from the public, stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations as well as the best-available science, traditional knowledge, social and economic information and information on Indigenous land, resource use and cultural values.

   The following sections provide information on proposed elements under discussion for the agreement that are general in nature and a table that proposes more specific conservation measures for inclusion in the conservation agreement.

2. General elements of the agreement

   The following is a description of the proposed general elements of the conservation agreement, including:

   • Principles
   • Indigenous collaboration and engagement
   • Stakeholder engagement
   • Governance, accountability, dispute resolution
   • Workplan, monitoring and reporting
   • Financial arrangements
    

   Principles

   The following principles are proposed for inclusion in the conservation agreement.

   • Collaboration: Ontario and Canada will work together to identify opportunities for alignment and achieve a common understanding of measures needed to achieve boreal caribou recovery and will cooperate in the delivery of these conservation measures in a manner that minimizes duplication, maximizes efficiency, and respects jurisdictional roles and responsibilities and considers socio-economic implications.
   
   
   • Results-based: Ontario and Canada will work toward achieving the conservation agreement goal and purpose, recognizing the need for and contribution of both habitat and population measures in achieving these results.
   
   
   • Use of best available information: Ontario and Canada will review and consider best available information including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, emerging scientific and technical data, and community knowledge.
   
   
   • Adaptive management: Ontario and Canada recognize that monitoring the effects of actions and adjusting approaches as necessary will be critical to success, as recovery is an emerging “discipline”.
   
   
   • Transparency: Ontario and Canada will make information related to implementation of conservation measures covered by the conservation agreement publicly available.
   
   
   • Risk-based approach: Ontario and Canada will take an approach that guides the identification and implementation of conservation measures that are informed by an understanding of risks to boreal caribou recovery. A risk-informed approach allows decision-makers to focus their time, energy and resources on priority actions that reduce risk, while allowing greater flexibility in responding to actions that do not significantly affect risk.
   
   
   • Indigenous collaboration: Ontario and Canada will consult with Indigenous communities and organizations and seek out opportunities to collaborate in the development and implementation of conservation measures.
   
   
   • Stakeholder engagement: Ontario and Canada will continue to seek opportunities for engagement with stakeholders as collaborators in boreal caribou recovery, including implementation of conservation measures.
   
   
   • Funding: Canada and Ontario will work together to fund the implementation conservation measures to achieve the goal of the conservation agreement.
    

   Indigenous Collaboration and Engagement

   It is proposed that the conservation agreement include the following commitments by Ontario and Canada:

   • Commitment to engaging with Indigenous communities regarding boreal caribou conservation.
   • Commitment to review and consider the incorporation of Indigenous traditional and community knowledge shared with Ontario and Canada in boreal caribou conservation measures.
   • Commitment to seeking collaborative arrangements with Indigenous communities, organizations and individuals to support recovery of boreal caribou.
    

   Further it is proposed that the conservation agreement include the following:

   • Nothing in the conservation agreement shall be construed so as to abrogate or derogate from the protection provided for the existing Aboriginal and treaty rights of the Indigenous peoples of Canada as recognized and affirmed in section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982.
   • Ontario and Canada will recognize and respect Aboriginal and treaty rights and are committed to meeting their obligations in respect of Indigenous peoples, including the duty to consult and, where appropriate, accommodate.
   • The distribution of boreal caribou overlaps shared treaty lands and the traditional territories of Indigenous peoples.
   • Ontario and Canada recognize that Indigenous peoples have important connections to and maintain a spiritual and cultural relationship with boreal caribou, in addition to possessing significant knowledge which could support conservation and recovery efforts.
    

   Stakeholder Engagement

   It is proposed that the conservation agreement recognize that other organizations and individuals (e.g., local governments, non-governmental organizations, industry representatives and other stakeholders) are positioned to collaborate in boreal caribou recovery with Ontario and Canada.

   It is proposed that the conservation agreement include the following commitments by Ontario and Canada:

   • Commitment to ensuring that stakeholders, such as local governments, non-governmental organizations, private landowners, tenure holders, industry representatives and industry associations, are informed of the conservation agreement.
   • Commitment to seeking collaborative arrangements with individuals and organizations (e.g., local governments, non-governmental organizations, industry representatives and other stakeholders), to support recovery of boreal caribou.
    

   Governance, Accountability and Dispute Resolution

   It is proposed that the conservation agreement be signed by the Assistant Deputy Minister, Land and Water Division of Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks (MECP) for Ontario and the Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service Environment and Climate Change Canada for Canada (ECCC).

   The conservation agreement would specify that the following are responsible for administration and implementation of the agreement:

   • The Assistant Deputy Minister, Land and Water Division, MECP, Ontario
   • Assistant Deputy Minister, Policy Division, Ministry of Northern Development, Mines, Natural Resources and Forestry (NDMNRF), Ontario.
   • Assistant Deputy Minister, Canadian Wildlife Service, ECCC.
    

   The first point of resolution for disputes arising from boreal caribou activities and programming contemplated in the conservation agreement would be the Director of the Species at Risk Branch, MECP, Ontario and the Director, Canadian Wildlife Service, Ontario Region, ECCC. Disputes that cannot be resolved by Directors would be referred to the Assistant Deputy Ministers noted above.

   Ontario and Canada would agree to provide each other at no charge with available data and information relevant to the implementation of the conservation agreement, as appropriate and subject to any applicable data sharing agreements and their respective legislation that would prevent them from doing so. This includes information on the status, conservation, and recovery of boreal caribou in Ontario, including habitat protection, restoration and other conservation measures; and information pertaining to mapping of general habitat under the ESA and critical habitat under SARA.

   Ontario and Canada recognize that some data and information may require confidentiality, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge and land use information, or may have been obtained with an understanding of confidentiality, in order to protect species at risk from exploitation or harm. Data and information so identified by Ontario or Canada, or a collaborator in programs and activities, would be held confidential by Ontario and Canada to the extent permitted by their respective legislation and related policies, procedures, and agreements.

   Workplan, Monitoring and Reporting

   It is proposed that the conservation agreement would include the following commitments:

   • Ontario and Canada agree to convene annually to review and document the status of boreal caribou conservation efforts.
   • Ontario and Canada will develop an annual workplan including costs.
   • An annual public report summarizing the results and status of conservation measures in the conservation agreement will be prepared by Ontario and Canada and will be used to inform reporting requirements under Sections 46 and 63 and paragraph 126(c) of the Federal Species at Risk Act.
   • Ontario and Canada will report on some or all of the following as appropriate:
     • Progress against commitments in the conservation agreement.
     • Progress towards achieving the goal and purpose of the conservation agreement; and
     • Unforeseen circumstances or stochastic events (e.g., fire, forest health issues) that might impact conservation measures.
   • Ontario and Canada will review the conservation measures and commitments under the conservation agreement each year and will examine the deliverables to date, and the proposed deliverables for the following year, including consideration of costs where applicable.
   • Ontario and Canada will evaluate the actions and propose any additional commitments to be included in the annual work plan to increase the likelihood of achieving the goals of the conservation agreement or otherwise expedite the recovery of boreal caribou in Ontario.
   • Prior to the end of the agreement, Ontario and Canada will prepare a report on outputs and deliverables in relation to the conservation agreements to date to inform discussions on renewal of this Agreement.
    

   Financial Arrangements

   Canada and Ontario will work together to identify, needs, priorities and funding opportunities to implement conservation measures to achieve the goal of the conservation agreement. A funding agreement will be developed in parallel to the conservation agreement.

3. Table of Conservation Measures

   This table is a description of the conservation measures that are proposed for inclusion in the conservation agreement. The conservation measures fall under five broad themes including monitoring and science, habitat protection and restoration, planning and management, updates to caribou conservation frameworks, and stewardship partnerships and funding.

   The sequencing of the conservation measures in the table is not indicative of relative priority.

1. Monitoring and Science

   Conservation Measure: 1.1 Boreal Caribou Monitoring Program

   • Ongoing range-scale boreal caribou monitoring and reporting in all ranges.

   Goal: Improved understanding of the status of caribou at a range scale.

   Timelines

   • Years 1- 2
     • Ontario to develop an ongoing monitoring program for Boreal Caribou that builds on past investments (e.g., including criteria for Range prioritization, timelines, methods, logistics, reporting).
     • Implementation of monitoring program as identified through Range prioritization that includes consideration of risk to the species.
   • Years 3-5
     • Ongoing implementation of monitoring program as identified through range prioritization.

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • An ongoing Boreal Caribou range-scale monitoring program is established and is being implemented in prioritized ranges.
   • Monitoring results, including population and habitat states are reported and used to inform implementation of other conservation measures and the need to adjust existing policies, where appropriate (e.g. prioritization of species or habitat management efforts; refining range boundaries).
    

   Conservation Measure: 1.2 Caribou Range Boundary Review and Updating

   • Review and, as appropriate adjust range boundaries informed by existing and new science, including Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, and consideration of climate change.

   Goal: Ranges are defined in a manner that supports caribou conservation.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
     • Ontario to prepare foundational information - review and summarize existing relevant information (e.g. delineation criteria, cross-jurisdictional methodologies, science, Indigenous Traditional Knowledge).
     • Develop an approach to reviewing boundaries working with stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations, that includes consideration of risk to the species.
   • Years 3-5
     • Apply the range boundary review approach.
     • Ongoing review and analysis of existing information and incorporation of new monitoring data and science/research.
     • Apply results to refining federal and provincial range boundaries if results warrant.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Existing relevant information summarized.
   • Approach to reviewing range boundaries developed and applied, with incorporation of new range-level monitoring data, science/research and Indigenous Traditional Knowledge.
   • Federal and provincial range boundaries refined, if deemed appropriate.
    

   Conservation Measure: 1.3 Habitat Restoration Assessment Initiative

   • Assessment of the effectiveness and efficiency of habitat restoration approaches in contributing to self-sustaining populations and managing cumulative disturbance at a range scale and application of the recommendations of the assessment.

   Goal: Improved habitat through implementation of effective and efficient habitat restoration approaches at a range scale.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
     • Ontario to design the assessment approach including engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations.
   • Years 3-4
     • Implement the assessment approach and report on results as they become available.
   • Year 5
     • Assess the effectiveness of the assessment approach, determine next steps, and apply results to inform policies and approaches.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Approach to assessing effectiveness and efficiency of habitat restoration approaches established and implemented, including engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations.
   • Information on the effectiveness and efficiency of habitat restoration approaches reported, guiding the implementation of legislation and policies, and being applied on-the ground.
    

   Conservation Measure: 1.4 Caribou Science Plan for Ontario

   • Develop a caribou science plan that identifies current state of provincial knowledge, gaps, priorities from a provincial and range-scale perspective, including in regard to the relationship between climate change and boreal caribou habitat, working with stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations, and implement the plan working with these partners.

   Goal: Further enhance the evidenced-based foundation of caribou conservation decision-making at a provincial and range-scale.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
     • The Parties to assess the current status of federal and provincial science related to caribou and identify gaps.
     • Design the approach for developing a caribou science plan including engagement with stakeholders and Indigenous communities and organizations.
   • Years 3-4
     • Work with partners to implement the priorities of the caribou science plan.
   • Year 5
     • Report on progress and identify next steps.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Assessment of current status completed, gaps and priorities identified at provincial and range-scales.
   • Science plan developed and implementation underway on priorities working with stakeholders and indigenous communities.
    

   Conservation Measure: 1.5 Data sharing

   • Develop a bilateral Canada-Ontario data sharing agreement for the boreal caribou.

   Goal: Available data and information is shared between Ontario and Canada at no charge to support caribou conservation decision-making.

   Timelines

   • Year 1
     • Develop a bilateral data sharing agreement including information on the status, conservation, and recovery of boreal caribou in Ontario, including habitat protection, restoration and other conservation measures; and information pertaining to mapping of general habitat under the ESA and critical habitat under SARA.
   • Ongoing
     • Continue to share available data and information as it becomes available.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Ontario and Canada provide each other at no charge with available data and information relevant to the implementation of the conservation agreement, as appropriate and subject to any applicable data sharing agreements and their respective legislation that would prevent them from doing so.



2. Habitat protection and restoration

   Conservation Measure: 2.1 Habitat Restoration Initiative

   • Develop a prioritized list of Crown land locations for all boreal caribou ranges and implement habitat restoration activities in select locations. Ensure legislative and policy mechanisms exist to secure locations of habitat restoration.

   Goal: Improve boreal caribou habitat by decreasing fragmentation and cumulative disturbance.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
     • Ontario to develop a prioritized list of Crown land locations for habitat restoration, including consideration of risk to the species.
   • Years 2-4
     • Communicate prioritized list to those able/required to take action.
     • Implementation of restoration activities
   • Year 5
     • Continued implementation and evaluation of next steps.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Prioritized list of locations developed, made publicly available, and used to inform the implementation of habitat restoration activities.
   • Legislative or policy mechanisms confirmed or established to secure habitat restoration sites.
   • Priority projects undertaken to decrease fragmentation and cumulative disturbance of habitat within boreal caribou ranges in priority areas.
    

   Conservation Measure: 2.2 Protected Areas Initiative

   • Applying a range-scale approach, enhanced consideration of boreal caribou within existing protected areas and on Crown land; and exploration of opportunities to increase protection of boreal caribou habitat through expanded and new protected areas.

   Goal: Enhance protection of boreal caribou habitat through protected areas using a range-scale approach.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
     • Ontario to apply a range-scale approach, and explore opportunities to increase protection of caribou habitat through the expansion of existing, and the establishment of new, protected areas, such as through the regulation of remaining Ontario Living Legacy sites intersecting with the distribution of caribou.
     • Applying a range-scale approach, Ontario and Canada will also explore opportunities to enhance consideration of caribou within existing protected areas (e.g., through management planning and wildland fire management) and on Crown land areas such as Enhanced Management Areas and/or Dedicated Protected Areas under the Far North Act.
   • Years 3-5
     • If/where opportunities are identified, initiate action to implement them.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Opportunities to increase protection of caribou habitat through protected areas explored considering a range-scale.
   • Initiate implementation action based on identified opportunities.



3. Planning and Management

   Conservation Measure: 3.1 Forest Management Planning

   • Continue to integrate the direction in the Forest Management Guide for Boreal Landscapes (BLG) into forest management plans (FMPs) that intersect with boreal caribou ranges and review forest management guide direction to assess the effectiveness of existing direction in supporting boreal caribou populations

   Goal: Undertake forest operations conducted in Crown Forests in accordance with an approved forest management plan under the Crown Forest Sustainability Act in a manner that supports the maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local caribou populations.

   Timelines

   • Year 1
     • Depending on individual plan renewal dates, forest management planning to incorporate the BLG into FMPs will be initiated ongoing, or completed.
   • Years 2-5
     • Describe and communicate the plans to assess the effectiveness of existing direction in supporting the maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local caribou populations.
     • Ongoing planning, approval, and implementation of FMPs to incorporate the BLG.
     • Implement the plan to assess the effectiveness of existing direction and evaluation of next steps.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • • BLG integrated into all 20 Forest Management Plans that intersect with Boreal Caribou Ranges by 2027.
     • Methodology to assess the effectiveness of existing BLG direction developed and assessment being undertaken.
     • Results are reported and used to inform the need to adjust existing policies where appropriate.
    

   Conservation Measure: 3.2 Mineral Exploration and Development Initiative

   • Continue to implement existing best management practices when undertaking mineral exploration and development activities, while also examining the effectiveness of current practices in supporting the maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local caribou populations, and adjusting as appropriate.

   Goal: Undertake mineral exploration and mining development activities in a manner that supports the maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local caribou populations.

   Timelines

   • Year 1
     • Develop a plan to assess the effectiveness of current best management practices for site recovery and review of historic sites for natural recovery working with stakeholders.
   • Year 2
     • Assess the effectiveness of current best management practices, identify gaps and priorities.
   • Years 3-5
     • Take action to update and implement best management practices.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Methodology to assess the effectiveness of existing best practices developed and being applied.
   • Best management practices updated and being applied.
    

   Conservation Measure: 3.3 Lake Superior Coast Range Management Plan

   • Develop and implement a management approach for the Lake Superior Coast Range and Discontinuous Distribution (Management Approach).

   Goal: Clarity on the management approach for boreal caribou in the Lake Superior Coast Range.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2 Ontario to:
     • Consult on the draft Management Approach; and
     • Finalize the Management Approach.
   • Year 3
     • Implementation of the management approach.
   • Years 3-5
     • Ongoing implementation of the management approach.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Finalization and implementation of a management approach for the Lake Superior Coast Range and Discontinuous Distribution.



4. Updates to the Caribou Conservation Frameworks

   Conservation Measure: 4.1 Evidence-based approaches

   • Refine existing evidence-based approaches to manage for self-sustaining local populations in Ontario ranges and integrate them into provincial and federal caribou conservation frameworks, where appropriate.

   Goal: Refined evidence-based approaches to managing for self-sustaining local populations.

   Timelines

   • Years 1-2
   • The Parties to:
     • Collaborate to review and refine existing evidence-based approaches, and explore alternative approaches, if appropriate to maintain or move towards self-sustaining local populations within Ontario ranges
     • Integrate accepted evidence-based approaches, into provincial and federal caribou conservation frameworks, where appropriate.
   • Years 3-5
     • Ongoing collaboration to further refine existing evidence-based approaches.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Refined evidence-based management approach for Ontario recommended and opportunities identified for integration into the provincial and federal caribou conservation frameworks to guide implementation of legislation, policies, etc. with respect to managing the species and its habitat.
    

   Conservation Measure: 4.2 Updating federal and provincial policy frameworks

   • Ontario and Canada to review updated relevant information (e.g., monitoring, science/research) as it is generated under the conservation agreement and consider adoption into federal and provincial caribou conservation policies and approaches.

   Goal: Up-to-date and aligned policy frameworks in Ontario and Canada Federal and provincial caribou conservation frameworks updated to support alignment.

   Timelines

   • All Years
     • Parties to consider the adoption or incorporation of relevant information as it becomes available, including as a result of conservation measures under this agreement.
   • Year 3
     • ECCC to review final management approach for the Lake Superior Coast Range and Discontinuous Distribution, and consider incorporating or adopting outcomes into the federal framework.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • Relevant federal and provincial caribou conservation frameworks are up-to-date, incorporating best available information, as appropriate, including to support alignment between provincial and national approaches.



5. Stewardship Partnerships and Funding

   Conservation Measure: 5.1 Strategic Partnerships and Stewardship Funding

   • Support implementation of projects that contribute to adaptive management in Boreal Caribou conservation.

   Goal: Support implementation of projects that contribute to maintenance or recovery of self-sustaining local caribou populations.

   Timelines

   • Year 1
     • Ontario and Canada to identify new opportunities to support Boreal Caribou conservation initiatives.
     • Implementation of identified strategic projects to further Boreal Caribou conservation
     • The Parties to develop a catalogue of stewardship projects underway/proposed to support better collaboration and avoid duplication of effort.
   • Years 2-5
     • Ongoing identification and implementation of strategic projects to further Boreal Caribou conservation.
    

   Performance measures to be achieved in five years

   • The Parties have collaborated to identify and fund projects, to further Boreal Caribou conservation in Ontario.

Ontario and Canada have been working together on this proposal. Ontario is seeking comments from Ontarians, Indigenous communities and organizations, and stakeholders. Please submit comments to Ontario through the Environmental Registry or to:

Public Input Coordinator
Landscape Species Recovery Section
Species at Risk Branch
Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks
435 James St. South, Ground Floor
Thunder Bay, ON
P7E 6T1
Phone: (705)755-1963
borealcaribouconservation@ontario.ca

Please note, comments that are submitted to Ontario on this proposal may be shared with Canada to inform the final decision on this proposal; however, personal information will not be shared.

If you wish to submit comments to Canada, please submit to:

Strategic Priorities Directorate
Canadian Wildlife Service
Environment and Climate Change Canada
15th Floor, Place Vincent Massey
Gatineau, QC
K1A 0H3
Phone: (800) 668-6767
ec.eccc-caribou.ec@canada.ca