Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Thank you to all the witnesses.
Mr. Davidson, our thoughts and prayers are with you.
We've heard today that we need both best management practices and government measures, so I'm going to focus on government measures.
I believe there is strong scientific consensus that the main reason for the loss of animal species is human-caused degradation of habitat, and the loss of areas where animals live, breed, raise their young and feed is the main cause of endangerment for over 80% of Canada's species at risk.
Mr. Davidson, could you comment on how disappearing animal and plant species threaten our valuable natural heritage as well as our economy?