First of all, I would like to thank the committee for all the hard work on this file. This is a topic of particular interest to many of you here. I can assure you that the hard work of the last couple of studies that have looked at conservation has been very informative.
As you know, a national conservation plan is a priority of our government. We have been engaging with our partners and stakeholders to develop the plan.
As you rightly pointed out, the most recent Speech from the Throne reiterated as well the government's commitment to developing the national conservation plan. As stated in budget 2013, further details will be announced in the coming year.
The plan will articulate a national vision for conservation and build on existing successes while fostering new and innovative approaches and partnerships. It will focus on our collective efforts and promote stewardship and encourage on-the-ground actions to conserve Canada's ecosystem. Efforts will be focused on conserving the ecosystem, including stewardship actions on working landscapes, reconnecting Canadians with nature, and restoring the degraded areas.
This is an exciting initiative. I hope to make an announcement moving this forward in the not too distant future.