I would indeed agree that this is something government should have a clear hand in, and at times even a directing role, or at least a very strong convening role. This gives a kind of structure to the nature of data collection so that those data can sometimes be applied to problems that are pressing. That, I think, would be a very good idea.
There are initiatives under way and we want to make sure that those things proceed. There are things like the Canadian biodiversity observation network, which might be a kind of all-hands-on-deck moment, both for citizen scientists or participatory scientists, as well as the professional science community in both government and in academics. These kinds of things will tell us answers to questions that are extremely pressing as climate changes and habitat loss also proceed.
That's why I believe, Mr. Cannings, that the short answer to your question is yes.