Thank you.
My question relates to a document that I believe you provided to us, Mr. McLean. It's called “An Invasive Alien Species Strategy for Canada”. You provided it to the full committee. I just want to clarify that before I start asking questions on a document that everybody might not have.
You gave some definitions. You make a distinction between “invasive species” and “invasive alien species”. Alien species you define as:
...plants, animals (including fish), and micro-organisms introduced by human action outside their natural past or present distribution. They are also known as exotics, or specified as being foreign or non-native. Introductions of alien species may be deliberate or accidental, and may be beneficial, as in the examples of corn, wheat, and domestic livestock, or damaging, such as leafy spurge, zebra mussels and wild boars.
Then you go on to explain:
Invasive alien species are those harmful alien species whose introduction or spread threatens the environment, the economy, or society, including human health. Alien bacteria, viruses, and fungi, and aquatic and terrestrial plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, and invertebrates (including insects and molluscs) can all become invaders.
I would like clarification on that statement. You're saying that alien species are not necessarily harmful. Invasive alien species are those that harm the environment, the economy, or society. Would that be correct?