“On behalf of our community, ABL will enforce our own Moose moratorium with or without the support of MFFP. We can no longer wait for an affirmative, positive response from MFFP.”

Despite the alarming and drastic decline of the Moose population in the La Verendrye Park, the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SEPAQ) has continued to issue hunting permits and is ignoring specific calls from the Algonquin First Nation communities for a Moose study and a formal conservation strategy. The last formal, comprehensive Moose population study was conducted in 1994. With Moose hunting season quickly approaching, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake (“ABL”) will now take immediate action to shut down sport hunting of Moose in the La Verendrye Park.

On August 16, 2019, in Val d’Or (Quebec), Algonquin community leadership met with Minister Pierre Dufour.  On August 21, 2019, Algonquin leadership issued a joint statement urging the Ministere des Forests de la Faune et des Parcs (“MFFP”) to implement a Moose moratorium. The Ministere has not directly responded to this request for an immediate moratorium.

“We will not stand by and wait for the Government to make a decision” says Chief Casey Ratt. “On behalf of our community, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake will enforce our own Moose moratorium with or without the support of MFFP. We can no longer wait for an affirmative, positive response from MFFP.” Therefore, the Algonquins of Barriere Lake will commence immediate unilateral protective action, specifically in ABL’s traditional geographic territory, to prevent any further exploitation and diminution of the local Moose population.

The Algonquins of Barriere Lake call on support from the public to pressure the MFFP to immediately impose a Moose Moratorium and to work with the First Nation to conduct a Moose study.

Spokesperson: Chief Casey Ratt

819-441-8002