Mr. Speaker, let me thank the hon. member for Peterborough not only for the question but for his diligent work on this file and others before the environment and sustainable development committee.
As was mentioned last week at the international conservation congress in Montreal, this government for the first time will be putting before the House of Commons federal endangered species legislation in a couple of weeks. That speaks for the aspirations of Canadians in all parts of the country.
As I said, outside of complaining about the weather, this is the one file that elicits the most passionate response from both young and old alike.
Second, it is important to understand that we want a national framework and not a national patchwork. That is why it is equally important that all the provinces and two territories, along with the federal government, have agreed to a national accord to protect endangered species. The country and Canadians will get a national strategy which they and these species are entitled to.