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Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/1071224
16 BCBUSINESS FEBRUARY 2019 S O U R C E S : I P S O S, S TAT I S T I C S C A N A D A , G L O B E A N D M A I L , C B C N E W S, O F F I C E O F T H E P R I VA C Y C O M M I S S I O N E R O F C A N A D A , a slide toward extirpation, when a species ceases to exist in a geographic area of study. The South Selkirks herd has dwindled to just three, not an ecologically viable population by any measure. "This is an important species to the federal govern- ment," says Robert Serrouya, a University of Alberta biolo- gist who has researched large mammal ecology for two decades and directs the Caribou Monitoring Unit, a group of scientists organized by the Alberta Biodiversity Monitoring Institute to support caribou recovery in Canada. "It's a very complex conserva- tion problem." In winter, woodland cari- bou survive almost entirely on boreal lichen found only in old-growth forests. Loss of this habitat thanks to logging and other resource industries is largely responsible for the ani- mal's decline. However, climate change and degradation of this critical caribou habitat have resulted in a cascade of other factors that has upset the natural wildlife balance in some areas, leaving the remaining caribou highly vulnerable to predators. Log- ging gives rise to growth of young trees and underbrush that attracts large numbers of other ungulates like white- tailed deer, which in turn lure wolves, cougars and bears into caribou country. The federal map of critical mountain caribou habitat and the provincial draft mountain caribou herd management plans, released last November, are alarming, according to Helicat Canada's Cloutier. Six operators could be put out of business and others impacted, he says, potentially resulting in $55 million in lost revenue and 500 job cuts. Commercial powder skiing isn't the only concerned sector. The Council of Forest Indus- tries (COFI) has warned the federal and provincial govern- ments against any new caribou conservation agreement that focuses too heavily on habitat protection. "Management of the cari- bou file is extremely complex, and we believe that a multi- pronged approach to recovery will be required, not just habitat protection," says Mina Laudan, COFI's vice-president, public affairs. "Climate change is affecting southern mountain caribou habitat, causing habi- tat to grow in some areas and disappear in others, and its impacts must be incorporated into all plans and actions," Laudan adds. "Many other fac- tors contribute to the declining caribou population, including predators, severe wildfire sea- sons and pest infestations." David Karn, a spokesman for the B.C. Ministry of Environ- ment and Climate Change, says the conservation agreement re- mains a work in progress, with the aim of developing "mean- ingful strategies for addressing caribou recovery" while "mini- mizing implications to various industry sectors that operate in caribou habitat." But that's easier said than done. B.C. and Ottawa have differing views on the extent of critical caribou habitat. Also, the 2017 Canada–British Columbia Southern Mountain Caribou Protection Study pres- ents a sobering picture of the conservation efforts' economic impact, which could exceed $20 billion to the resources sec- tor. The study acknowledges as well that "to date, no jurisdic- tion has implemented a pro- gram that has demonstrated sustained success at recovery of caribou at a landscape scale." Mountain caribou experts like Robert Serrouya know there's no quick fix. Habitat protection is important, but it's not the only factor. Caribou have disappeared from Banff National Park even though it's been federally pro- tected since 1885. "I can support the messy short-term business of predator reduction, but only if habitat protection is also part of the solution," Serrouya says. • As 1,000 policy- makers gather in Victoria for the 20th annual Privacy and Security Conference from February 6 to 8, we look at how British Columbians are—and aren't—thinking about what's happening to their data by Melissa Edwards Private Enterprise ( the informer ) G O F I G U R E READ THIS Emily Griffiths-Hamilton knows family firms. Her grandfather, veterinarian Dr. William Ballard, founded the pet-food company that bears his name. Her father, Frank Griffiths, built a media and sports empire that included the Canucks. A Vancouver chartered accountant, family enterprise adviser and conflict resolution coach herself, Griffiths-Hamilton draws on her personal and professional background to help families pass on their business. In Your Business, Your Family, Their Future: How to Ensure Your Family Enterprise Thrives for Generations, she addresses topics from whether or not to sell and why transitions fail to shared values, communication and conflict, and where to get advice. Figure 1 Publishing 168 pages, hardcover, $25 • $100,000 Potential fine–per offence–for Canadian companies not report- ing a data breach involving a client's personal information, according to new federal rules enacted in November 87% of British Columbians believe people have the right to online privacy 23% of incidents involved the theft or attempted theft of personal or financial information Canadian com- panies reported experiencing a cyber- security incident in 2017 that affected their business 67% have Googled people before meeting them for the first time 65% have Googled themselves 1/5