Environment committee  Mr. Chair, I'd like to say first that we've had an exceptional relationship with the farmers. I must say we've significantly turned a corner, so kudos to Andrew and Pam and several of our team members for that. I think the farmers are clearly very concerned about any changes we would be bringing about, and that's why I think the management plan and the bill as presented to create the corridor would be a significant challenge.

Environment committee  Mr. Chair, the bill establishes the legal framework for us to manage the park, which I think is one of the crown jewels of our country. We are looking forward to doing that and to working with all of our partners. I think the bill adds a specific piece of land at this point, but it allows for two OICs for additional lands to be included.

Environment committee  That's my recollection. I would need to reconfirm the letter, but that's my recollection.

Environment committee  Yes, I can confirm that to the best of my knowledge, in fact, as I've mentioned, in the MOU with Ontario there is no mention of ecological integrity.

Environment committee  I personally learned through the Toronto Star.

Environment committee  No, not from my recollection.

Environment committee  I would say in general terms yes, but I think we need to recognize that the contribution of land comes from different organizations. There's the provincial lands, the federal lands. I think the other part of it is that on the bill that's before you, people have been focusing on one clause, which is clause 6 clearly, but there are several other clauses that ensure that the conservation objectives that we have and the level of maintenance of the ecosystem health and improvement to it will be achieved.

Environment committee  Mr. Chair, the current regional Rouge Park was created in 1995. From 1995 to 2012 it was managed by the Rouge Park Alliance, and the chair was appointed by the Government of Ontario. ln 2010 the alliance commissioned and released a landmark governance report for Rouge Park. I think it's important to understand some of the history.

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  It is correct, but within the conditions and within the area where the park or the protected area is established.

Environment committee  It is a fair distinction, but I think the other part of it is the type of use of the land. For example, in the Rouge national urban park, a significant component is the land that we've agreed on and are working productively with the farmers. That, for example, would not be able to achieve the ecological integrity objective within that context, but we can demonstrate environmental leadership by working collaboratively with them.

Environment committee  That exists currently, and in fact, our objective is to improve it.

Environment committee  There are several parts of the park that have been disturbed. Again, I think part of our overall objective is to protect and improve the ecological health of that park.

Environment committee  Mr. Chair, the other aspect is that we face that same challenge in a lot of our national parks also where the headwaters or the wildlife corridors are outside the park or migrate through the park. It's working through the broader ecosystem and working with adjoining landowners to develop strategies together that we've been able to achieve our conservation objectives.

Environment committee  Those lands are the responsibility of Transport Canada at this point. They would be better prepared to answer that question.