It's incredibly important.
When we set up the first national park in the country, it was something that was brand new. Over time that has served to change the way Canadians see themselves. In the past, we created parks where the land and the natural treasures were. This time, we're finding that in the midst of where the people are. That represents an enormous change for this country.
We are now in a world where second, third, fourth, and fifth generations of people have no meaningful connection to nature. They didn't grow up on farms; they didn't travel across the country in station wagons and camp along the way. To know that literally two blocks away from where you are are endangered species, which you might have an impact on in half an hour of volunteering at the end of your workday or school day is something that changes Canadians' understanding of not only what environment is there but what they can do to help save it.