Obviously, old-growth forests and species that are dependent on them are found primarily on provincial lands. We continue to look first to the province to protect and recover species at risk on those lands and to manage its forestry sector.
That being said, the establishment of the old growth nature fund is in progress. The funding agreement is also in place. We are currently negotiating a trilateral nature agreement with provincial and indigenous partners. We have in fact had several meetings in the past few weeks, specifically on that, with the province and with indigenous partners. The agreement will help all parties to better protect and restore habitats, including old-growth forests, to improve ecosystem resilience and to advance the recovery of species at risk.
With respect to the spotted owl in particular, I recently determined that the species is facing an imminent threat to its survival and recovery, so I'm now consulting with the Government of British Columbia and first nations communities on my finding. While the federal government continues to prioritize collaboration with provinces and partners on these issues, I will use the authorities outlined in the federal legislation if British Columbia's protection efforts for the species should be determined to be ineffective.