Environment Committee on Nov. 7th, 2013

[Rob Prosper]

I think probably the simplest answer is that in true layman terms ecological integrity for us means the bits are there: the species; the populations; and the natural processes are there. We work towards identifying those types of ecosystems that require certain processes and we do analysis on those processes to get an idea of what the cycle is. For example, in firewood, it's the fire return cycle. Then we look at how we put that back on the landscape in a way that results in conservation gains but at the same time results in making sure that we can keep infrastructure and the public safe.

[Robert Sopuck, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB]

But again, for some ecosystems the natural trend is toward fewer species. As the forest ages, species don't quite move out, but new species take over and there are often fewer. Do you want to freeze an ecosystem in place and force all those long-term processes?

[Rob Prosper]

Certainly not in circumstances where it's because there's been a removal of natural fire on the ecosystem that creates an old stand. We do the fire management work that we do to increase diversity by creating a more diverse habitat.

[Robert Sopuck, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB]

Regarding the management of land inside national parks, I was very interested in this particular report, “Action on the Ground”. When I first moved to the Riding Mountain National Park area back in the late seventies, the modus operandi was to leave everything alone, to keep people out, to not do anything in there.

I'm very pleased by some of the projects that I saw in your report, like restoring the natural flows of streams, taking out culverts that block fish and putting in new culverts. They're even getting rid of the rats that have moved into some of the parks. I'm talking about the four-legged kind. I want to be clear on that.

[Voices]

Oh, oh!

[Robert Sopuck, Conservative, Dauphin—Swan River—Marquette, MB]

Is active management of landscapes and ecosystems in national parks becoming the new normal for your department?

[Rob Prosper]

Absolutely. I think the last time I was in front of the committee I talked about the fact that the perception of Parks Canada is that we create parks and throw away the key. That's not at all the case any more. We are very much involved in restoration activities and active management. As I mentioned several times already, we are undertaking what are probably the largest restoration actions in our history.

[The Chair, Conservative, Harold Albrecht]

I know we're not quite at your five-minute mark, but that clock is about three or four minutes slow and many of us have a one o'clock meeting in Centre Block. So with that, I'm going to cut you off there.

Thanks again to our officials for being with us today, and thanks to our committee members.

The meeting is adjourned.