We're in public session now for our study on species at risk, pursuant to Standing Order 108(2), section 129 of the act. This goes back to a motion that we passed a year ago—we were reconstituted to take on this report—but this actually goes back to 2009, when we started doing our statutory review.
We welcome to the table, from the Department of the Environment, John Moffet, director general of legislative and regulatory affairs, and Virginia Poter, director general of the Canadian Wildlife Service. From Parks Canada Agency we have Mike Wong, who is the executive director of the ecological integrity branch. From the Department of Fisheries and Oceans we have Kevin Stringer, who is the assistant deputy minister, program policy.
I welcome all government officials who are here.
I understand, Ms. Poter, you're going to kick us off, so I'll turn it over to you for your opening comments for ten minutes.