Madam Chair, indeed having Canada participate in international organizations and negotiations is essential to fulfilling our mandate, as well as delivering the results that Canadians are looking for.
One example of the significant achievements made on behalf of Canadians is DFO's leading role in gaining agreement on the protection of vulnerable marine ecosystems at the United Nations in 2006, a matter that is now considered to be the most important regime shift in high seas fisheries in decades. This agreement allows bottom fisheries to proceed while avoiding significant adverse impact to vulnerable marine ecosystems.
Canada brought consensus to the issue when the international community was sharply divided, by providing a practical and credible way forward. This consensus agreement was strongly supported by industry and environmental organizations.
It gives me great pride to say that the implementation of the 2006 commitment is well under way in regional fisheries management organizations, including NAFO. I want to emphasize that this achievement has direct implications for Canadians. By leading the negotiations, Canada made a significant impact on international standards. This is but one instance of the outstanding international work being done for Canadians by my department.