Thank you, Mr. Stetski.
These are very important lands. We know that grasslands globally and nationally are one of the most endangered biomes. The PFRA community pasture lands, or the former PFRA lands, are home to some 31 federally listed species at risk, as well as their habitat. We know habitat loss is one of the main stressors facing our species at risk nationally. This example of losing these effectively managed and effectively protected spaces is an example of habitat loss again.
There's no simple yes or no answer in terms of what's happening, or what could be done and what is being done, in terms of halting the transfer or putting a pause on the transfer of these lands. We understand the environment minister's office is aware of the issue and discussions with Minister MacAulay's office are under way, but of course it is an urgent matter that we hope is addressed soon.
The transfers are taking place in three phases, with two additional sets of transfers remaining. One set of the former pastures has already been transferred. The end date is March 2018, and up to 57 of the former PFRA sites have already been transferred, 34 in Saskatchewan alone. The next set of transfers will take place in March 2017, with the final set in March 2018.
The final transfer, and this is the point we'd like to underscore, will include the most intact and ecologically valuable of all the lands. That leaves relatively little time to prevent the loss of some of Canada's best remaining grassland landscapes, so this is certainly concerning to us.