Mr. Speaker, yesterday was the International Day for Biological Diversity. In this same month we celebrate two of Canada's investments in biological diversity: the founding of Prince Albert National Park in Saskatchewan in 1927; and the establishment of Vuntut National Park, Old Crow Flats, in the Yukon in 1993.
Our national parks are top of the line contributions to biological diversity. They are sanctuaries for plants and animals. The parks have been deliberately chosen over the years to reflect a wide variety of national conditions. As a result they not only protect wide expanses of Canada. They protect a wide selection of habitat and life forms.
While recognizing the International Day for Biological Diversity I urge all members to support the extension and strengthening of our national parks system, one of Canada's great contributions to biological diversity. In the 20th century we built the foundations of a fine parks system on land. In the 21st century let us extend it, both on land and under our oceans.