Caribou, muskox hunt gets boost

Nunavut signed a deal with federal government ministers last week in Iqaluit that will give the territory’s commercial hunt for caribou and muskox up to $180,000 a year for five years.

The money comes from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and its agricultural policy framework aimed at making Canada a world leader in “environmentally responsible” food production.

“Nunavut’s caribou and muskox food products are high-quality products and are gaining recognition globally,” said David Simailak, Nunavut’s minister for economic development.

“This agreement allows us to further highlight several unique attributes of our agri-foods. For instance, harvesting wild game ensures environmental sustainability, lowers our risks to environmental diseases, such as BSE, and provides organic meat to consumers.”