Thank you.
The fall 2012 report of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development noted Canada's slow progress in establishing marine protected areas, or MPAs. The scientists indicate that Canada needs to protect at least 30% of our ocean ecosystems. I find it unacceptable that less than 1% of Canada's oceans are protected under an MPA.
We need a comprehensive plan to move forward on this important file. In fact, this weekend I attended a conference on oceans where a scientist indicated there was no reason that Canada couldn't protect 10% of our oceans under MPAs in the next two years without affecting a single fisherman or industry.
I'm specifically interested in the development of MPAs on the west coast. Currently, there are two MPAs: the Bowie Seamount MPA, and the Endeavour Hydrothermal Vents MPA. There are at least two areas of interest: Race Rocks in the Hecate Strait, and Queen Charlotte Island Sound Glass Sponge Reef. The Glass Sponge Reefs are truly amazing. They're considered one of the greatest wonders in Canada's oceans.
I have two questions. Will the $2.6 million appropriation that we saw in the supplementary estimates go towards establishing these two MPAs, and will Canada strive to meet the goal of covering at least 10% of our oceans under MPAs by 2020?