The department remains committed to advancing forward our plans on the establishment and operation of marine protected areas. We have currently eight marine protected areas in place now, which represents, I believe, protecting in the order of 1% of Canada's marine spaces. We have plans to establish another seven MPAs, and that would likely bring our number up to about 3% of ocean spaces being protected.
The objectives cited by the Commissioner of the Environment internationally at 10% are a target, not a commitment. It's a goal we're seeking to advance toward.
We are also working with other federal partners around establishing an overall framework of marine protected areas that would involve Parks Canada, Environment Canada, and others, in taking a look at how that would come together in meeting those kinds of goals, along with areas that we close for fisheries purposes. We have a collaboration in place with the provinces about how, within this network, we would also take into account areas that are protected under provincial legislation and so on.
I should mention that in budget 2013 there was a provision of a renewal of the health of the oceans initiative at $4 million annually for one year, of which I believe about $2.97 million will be invested in the department's programs. The balance will go to Environment Canada for related initiatives they're undertaking.
I think it's fair to say that we are on a track in advancing forward our programs—