Home page

Text size

E-mail this page

KIVALLIQ
Parks Canada employees are holding consultations in the Kivalliq region this month regarding proposed regulations that would authorize bear monitors, beneficiary guides, researchers and other groups to carry firearms in parks where polar bears are present.

Robert Campbell, resource management officer at Ukkusiksalik National Park, and Paula Hughson, park manager, are travelling around the Kivalliq region holding consultations on proposed new Parks Canada regulations. - Nicole Veerman/NNSL photo

Ten of the 42 National Parks in Canada are considered polar bear parks. Ukkusiksalik National Park, located west of Repulse Bay, is one of them. Also on the list are Nunavut's other national parks: Auyuittuq, Sirmilik and Quttinirpaaq.

Paula Hughson, manager of Ukkusiksalik National Park, said sometimes one can see upwards of 20 polar bears in the park at a time.

Under the current Parks Canada regulations, only park employees and Inuit taking part in traditional harvesting practices are allowed to carry firearms in parks.

The new regulations propose that bear monitors, beneficiary and non-beneficiary guides, researchers (in places where bear monitors are not available), commercial sport hunting guides travelling through the parks and members of the Department of National Defence be added to the list.

If passed, the proposed regulations would allow these groups to carry firearms for self-protection and the protection of others against polar bears after they have obtained a Parks Canada Firearm Permit.

To obtain a permit, the person would have to have a valid registration certificate; they would have to be authorized to possess; carry and transport a firearm, and they would have to provide an application outlining their knowledge, skills and experience with firearms.

"We want to be sure the people carrying the guns are safe and knowledgeable," said Hughson.

The protocol for dealing with a polar bear is to first try to deter it by using bear bangers, she said. If that doesn't scare the bear away, then you try a rubber bullet.

"We've never had to do this, but if that doesn't work, then you use a lead slug and you shoot to kill," she said.

At the end of the day, the proposed firearm regulations are to ensure the safety of park visitors and the polar bears that live there, Hughson said.

The hope is that the proposed regulations will increase the number of park visitors and the economic opportunities for the park and the nearby communities.

Ukkusiksalik was declared Canada's 42nd national park in 2003.

The National Parks of Canada Wildlife Regulations were established in 1981 and were last amended in 1997.

Other proposed amendments, not relating to the use and transportation of firearms, include prohibitions for possessing wild animals, as well as their body parts, and the removal of nests and other dwellings.

Consultations in the region will wrap up on Aug. 27 in Repulse Bay. While in each community, parks employees have been speaking with representatives from the hamlet, hunter and trapper associations, outfitters, stores and other interested parties.

There will also be national consultations taking place until December. After the consultation process is complete, the proposed regulations will be revised as appropriate and then they will be published in the Canada Gazette. There will then be a 90-day period for additional public input before Parks Canada can move ahead with implementing the final version of the regulations.

We welcome your opinions. Click here to e-mail a letter to the editor.