Mr. Speaker, in 1988 the governments of Canada and British Columbia signed a memorandum of agreement for the protection of what has since become Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve or Haida heritage site and for the proposed establishment of an adjacent marine protected area in the Pacific Ocean.
This is a magnificent part of the world. The islands and waters of Gwaii Haanas have been home to the Haida people for more than 10,000 years and continue to sustain their contemporary culture today.
Last month a very important step was taken toward the creation of this national marine conservation area. It would be the first national marine conservation area on Canada's west coast. Four oil companies made a donation of mineral permits, the largest donation of mineral permits in Canada's history, to advance this important project.
Today I urge the Government of Canada to move quickly to join in the partnership among the Government of British Columbia, the Haida people and others to make this magnificent national marine conservation area a reality.
As Paul Pearson of the Haida nation said, the Haida people have always sought to protect the Haida Gwaii for all generations. I hope the Government of Canada will move it forward.