Environment Committee on May 3rd, 2012

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Thank you, Mr. Chair.

My first comment is to Ms. Simon.

Ms. Simon, it's just a comment, really. It was great to be in Europe recently, actually with an interparliamentary delegation, and to see that not everything is done on a partisan basis. But we actually met with a member of a parliament there who took us to task on the seal hunt. You were eloquently defended by members from both sides of the House on that, so it was very good to see that occur.

I'd like to direct my question initially to Mr. Farrant, and to Ms. Ricottone. It is in regard to urban education, because I think it's a key component of what we need to do here. The conservation plan will only be successful if we also have urban buy-in, education of our urban population, or education of our new immigrants and our young people.

I wonder, from the perspective of both your organizations, what you are able to bring forward in regard to that. Maybe Mr. David could also add his comments on that, because I think it's such an important component of this going forward.

A lot of time we have a lack of connection with urban residents with what's really happening out in the world with wildlife and with conservation issues, because we're surrounded by brick and concrete and we don't see it. One of the things we've talked about is more green in urban spaces. That's great, but I think it's also an education factor. I just wonder if you could speak to that.

[Greg Farrant]

Sure, I'd be more than happy to do so.

One thing I didn't touch on but that is in the written presentation the committee members will have is that we strongly agree that public awareness and education should be a key component of the NCP.

For many years we've gone to committees here, particularly the fisheries and oceans committee, to talk about a national public education and awareness program on invasive species. In fact, in 2003 and again in 2005 that committee recommended funding for our proposal for a national public education and awareness program. Unfortunately, that hasn't transpired, but it's obviously a key.

You're quite correct that there is a disconnect with many urban residents. There's also the issue of new Canadians. We continue to look for ways to reach new Canadians, to talk about fish, about wildlife, about recreational hunting and fishing, and talk about the connections between those and conservation. So yes, they're all very relevant.

[Lawrence Toet, Conservative, Elmwood—Transcona, MB]

Do you have any ideas of how we could tangibly do that within a national conservation plan?

[Greg Farrant]

I can certainly provide this committee with the invasive species public education and awareness proposal we gave to the fisheries and oceans committee ast week. We'd be more than happy to send this committee a copy of that, which outlines exactly how it works on the ground. I might add that it would work in connection with all our partners across the country, all the affiliates in all the provinces and territories, and for a reasonably small amount of money for a national program.

I'd be happy, through the chair and the clerk, to provide members of the committee with that, which demonstrates how it would roll out.

[Julia Ricottone]

From our perspective, we haven't formally been involved in any public education programs, but we do have access to a number of studies and reports outlining the benefits of green spaces and plants, and how they can help improve lifestyles and improve communities overall. That could help to be the background and the basis of educating the public on why conserving these plants and these spaces is important.

[William David, Senior Policy Analyst, Environmental Stewardship, Assembly of First Nations]

I'll try to be quick.

For our part, we think education is key, particularly in urban areas. It's a little odd, because you wouldn't necessarily think it, but the national chief was referencing, for instance, Caldwell First Nation or Walpole Island First Nation and the initiative at Point Pelee National Park. What is going on there is that you have first nations slowly being brought into the management of the park, and particularly education. It's important, because urban Canadians have one relationship with the environment, which may not be well formed, but it's a particular relationship.

First nations have a very different relationship with the environment, and it's very tied in with their cultures. So by having that kind of public education in cities, we not only enable Canadians to view their relationship with nature in a slightly different way, help to connect them with nature, we also build greater understanding with all Canadians, and hopefully form a basis for a broader reconciliation.

It seems a bit odd, because you don't have a lot of urban first nations, but you do have a lot of urban areas in first nations' traditional territories, and I think it's something that's very worthy of further consideration.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

The time has expired, but I'm going to give Ms. Simon an opportunity to comment. I think you had a word you wanted to share with us.

[Mary Simon]

Yes, thank you very much.

First, my comment is on education—it's key. I say that because as I was listening to the discussion on habitat conservation, we were talking more about the southern parts of Canada and not about the Arctic.

The habitat in southern Canada is very important for us, because the birds that come to the Arctic, like the Canada goose and the different types of ducks, all winter down here and farther south. When they come up, they become very healthy because the habitat is still healthy.

So what you're saying to us is very important, but it's also very relevant to the Arctic as well. I just wanted to make the comment that it is an education issue, because maybe some people don't think of it in those terms.

The other point I want to make is building up aboriginal organization and traditional knowledge capacity should go hand in hand with preserving, where appropriate. Also, I think expanding the federal government's own in-house scientific knowledge base is also very important for the NCP.

[The Chair, Conservative, Mark Warawa]

Again, thank you so much to each of the witnesses for being here. It's been very interesting, and we appreciate your taking the time to come here to share your expertise with us.

Colleagues, at this time we're going to suspend for a couple of minutes. Again, the clock is a little slow. It's a little after five now, so we're going to suspend for a couple of minutes and then we'll move in camera.

[Proceedings continue in camera]