Dionne, thank you for taking the time to discuss the Department of Sustainable Developments comments re the Southampton Island caribou harvest. As per our conversation I offer the following clarifications:
  a.. The camp and abattoir are located approximately 30 miles from Coral Harbour. The site was chosen to be in proximity to relatively large numbers of caribou and specifically, an abundance of females so that DSD's herd management objectives are better satisfied. DSD is aware of the site location and has had their regional biologist on site conducting research on the caribou population -- this occurs at each harvest. 
  b.. DSD issues a Commercial Wildlife License for the harvest and as well, DSD issues the commercial tags that are required to conduct a commercial harvest. There are 5,000 tags available through DSD but it is anticipated that only 2,200 to 2,300 animals will be harvested this year -- that number of animals corresponds to the weight of streamlined carcasses that have been sold. 
  c.. Entrails of harvested animals are hauled away from the camp and spread out on the land. DSD is well aware of this procedure!
In closing I find it quite disturbing that we must allocate resources to respond to uninformed commentary from a Department that: 
  a.. initiated the commercial harvest in the first place as part of an overall herd management strategy; 
  b.. provides annual funding in support of the harvest operation; 
  c.. issues the commercial tags for the harvest; 
  d.. etc.
Finally, I take exception to DSD's notion that they employ a team approach in responding -- the team of which they speak certainly can not include DSD representation from the Kivalliq region who are fully supportive of the harvest and well aware of the particulars of how and where the harvest is conducted.

Once again thank you.