moved for leave to introduce Bill C-441, an act respecting the protection of wildlife species in Canada from extirpation or extinction.
Mr. Speaker, if this bill becomes law it will protect all endangered species and their habitat in Canada, regardless of where they live, including aquatic species and migratory birds. It will identify species at risk and the factors that threaten them and their habitat.
This bill will require the Minister of the Environment to prepare a recovery plan. It will make it an offence to harm, disturb or kill endangered species or their habitat. This bill will give appropriate powers to designated persons to conduct inspections and enforce the law. It will allow citizens to bring investigations of suspected threats to an endangered specie or its habitat.
This bill would apply to provincial as well as federal lands unless a province decides to pass mirror legislation.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)