Thanks, Dan.
As you can see, OPG has undertaken numerous initiatives that are achieving real results in conserving species and habitat, not only on site but across the province. This is just one of our members. Similar initiatives are under way across the country by other CEA members. Though I have many other examples of that, because of limited time, I can't share them. But I would be happy to address them during the Q and A, or after the meeting.
What I hope is clear to you is that CEA members are committed to, and actively engaged in, species and habitat conservation activities. I think it's safe to assume that this will be consistent with what most of us envision as the goals or principles of a national conservation plan.
That being said, l'd like to close by addressing some of the specific questions the committee is looking at: first, comparing various conservation and stewardship initiatives already under way with prescriptive government-mandated measures; and second, how the federal government can improve habitat conservation efforts.
For the electricity sector, the Species at Risk Act presents significant challenges, primarily because of the disconnect between industry conservation and stewardship activities and the act's compliance mechanisms. While we fully support the purpose and intent of SARA, and participate as members of the Species at Risk Advisory Committee, the disconnect in the current act hinders our ability to meet our responsibilities to Canadians and at the same time comply with the act. That is to say, many of the positive measures that our members are undertaking, when they relate to a SARA-listed species, are not acknowledged by the act. To date, no electricity facility has been able to obtain compliance under SARA for operations—not one. No permits have been issued, nor have any companies been able to enter into a conservation agreement.
In the most concerning cases, measures taken by a utility to help a species or habitat can actually result in greater legal risk and uncertainty for the utility. An act intended to protect species and habitat should encourage these types of initiatives, not act as a disincentive. In that scenario, neither species at risk nor industry are well served. We believe parts of SARA can be modified to remedy these challenges without compromising the act's effectiveness. We are confident that our proposals in two specific areas—compliance mechanisms, and better consideration of socio-economics in SARA decision-making—will improve federal species protection and lower commercial risks to industry.
As you consider the elements of a national conservation plan and how it could enhance current species and habitat conservation efforts, we encourage you to consider the current challenges with SARA that in our view cannot be ignored. An NCP that is intended to encourage conservation will not be effective if many of the initiatives it seeks to encourage continue to be discouraged, or left legally unclear, by SARA.
If a national conservation plan were tied to SARA in a way that addressed current challenges, we would be very supportive.
Thank you, and I look forward to your questions.