Protecting Ontario's Woodland Caribou

In Ontario’s far north, proposals for mega mines are creating a massive new threat for carbon rich wetlands and wildlife like woodland caribou. All of this is at a scale and intensity that has not yet been seen in Ontario. Scientists predict irreversible changes to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems and it's all happening in the absence of a long term plan to guide development.

Mining companies in Ontario’s Ring of Fire, located approximately 500 km northeast of Thunder Bay, have initiated several environmental assessment processes for major mines and infrastructure including all-weather roads, transmission lines and winter roads. Several of the government’s own officials are concerned by the Ring of Fire’s proposed impacts to woodland caribou. In a letter dated November 10th, 2011, the Ministry of Environment, with respect to a new 300 km proposed all weather road that would access the Ring of Fire, voiced its concern around the "cumulative" and "negative impacts to caribou."

The Big Wild is urging Ontario's Minister of Environment, the Honourable James Bradley, to ensure that any new proposed activities in Ontario’s far north help sustain rather than harm species at risk including Boreal woodland caribou. It's time to heed the advice of scientists and work with First Nations and the public on a regional environmental assessment before mining advances anyy further.