Environment committee  Thank you very much. It's a privilege and an honour to be invited to speak today about establishing a national conservation plan for Canada. Since our founding in 1939, Nature Canada has been instilling in Canadians a respect for nature, an appreciation for its wonders, and a w

Environment committee  Yes, there are a couple of examples that I think you should be aware of. My colleagues are very aware of them. One of them is called the North American waterfowl management plan. It has developed joint ventures, primarily across the working landscape in Canada, the United State

Environment committee  It has brought close to $1 billion, I would say, into the working landscape, not only in Canada but in the United States and Mexico. We could provide you more information on that, but it really and truly is one of those flagship joint venture initiatives that we should be aware o

Environment committee  Thank you for the question. I'll respond in English, if you don't mind. Your question was about what sorts of incentives could be provided, then, for people who own lands to encourage the conservation of species, if I understand. There are a number of different types of mecha

Environment committee  Perhaps—depending on the suite of species you're looking at. The one we've been focusing on—

Environment committee  All species. Okay. But let's say you were to look at birds. In May, I think, or in about three weeks, the State of the Birds report will come out, and it will identify that a majority of bird species across Canada are actually in decline. Based on that, and probably related to t

Environment committee  Yes, I would. I guess perhaps it was taken a little bit out of context. We had some meetings last week to talk about this issue with CEPA, the Canadian Energy Pipeline Association.

Environment committee  It was to look at the real impacts of the oil and gas sector on the species. To my understanding, an emergency summit was held about three or four months ago to look at the plight of the species, and indeed it did look at the oil and gas sector primarily. I guess my point was mo

Environment committee  As Michael would say, “yes”.

Environment committee  I believe so.

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  I think perhaps my colleagues would be better suited to answer that. The focus of Nature Canada tends to be more on the terrestrial species.

Environment committee  I'm definitely supportive of the work but not familiar with that specific 2003 document.

Environment committee  I'll just give you a specific example. I'll go back to a program that we manage in partnership with naturalist organizations across the country. It's called Important Bird Areas and it focuses on conserving a suite or individual bird species. One of the problems with that, when y

Environment committee  I would like to concur with that completely. I think the Government of Canada and Environment Canada is the right place to drive this forward. It wouldn't have happened unless they'd stepped up to the plate to do that.