FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21st, 2015
Labrador MP Calls For Action By The Provincial Government
Towards Illegal Caribou Hunting
Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament for Labrador, is calling for Premier Davis to act against the slaughter of Labrador Caribou by Quebec Innu:
“It was beyond disappointing to see recent reports of members of the Quebec Innu come to Labrador and slaughter large numbers of endangered caribou. The Inuit have stopped hunting Caribou out of grave concern towards the extinction of the herds in Labrador Most all Labradorians have halted any hunt of caribou in order to protect the remaining herds. ”
MP Jones wants the Premier and Government of Newfoundland and Labrador to take action against the illegal hunt:
“Yesterday, I sent a letter to Premier Davis calling on his government to investigate and charge the Quebec hunters responsible for killing caribou in Labrador. Since 2009, there have been at least five incidents that I am aware of in which caribou was slaughtered in Labrador by the Matimekush-Lac John/or and Pakuashipi Innu Bands. I am not aware of their hunters being charged in any of these illegal hunts. I have asked the Premier to advise of what charges have been laid and what plans his government has to stop the illegal caribou hunt on Labrador lands. This is a violation of our lands and or future food supply at a time when Northern regions like ours are challenged by issues of food insecurity.”
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