Well, I think there's no question that cutting back on the science capacities of government will hinder the development of a national conservation plan. In order to identify the objectives and targets for any type of plan, whether it's a marine protected area plan or a terrestrial biodiversity plan, we are ultimately reliant on government knowledge, and that comes from government science departments. They are the repository of this information over the last several decades, if not half-century and beyond. As I said earlier, private institutions, businesses, and academia simply do not have the capacity, knowledge, or experience to provide Canadians and the government with the information it will undoubtedly require to do the job properly. The weakening of science does not bode well for the establishment of a credible and defensible plan.
On May 29th, 2012. See this statement in context.