Mr. Speaker, last year I stood in the House to speak about the protection of the Porcupine caribou calving grounds in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska. Today, I restate these concerns.
This refuge is one of the most fragile ecosystems left on earth. It is also the main calving grounds of the Porcupine caribou herd, which is fundamental to the culture of the Gwich'in nation of the NWT, Yukon, and Alaska.
The U.S. Senate recently passed a budget resolution that puts these sacred calving grounds at risk. I have written to legislators on both sides of the border as have Gwich'in leaders, who will soon join others in Washington, D.C., to inform legislators of the importance of protecting this pristine area. I hope this message is heard.
I thank the Canadian Embassy in Washington for its work to support the protection of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge.