Madam Speaker, I would like to quote from some of the witnesses we heard regarding Bill C-18:
Ecological integrity, is it justified? Of course it is. This is one of the most biodiverse areas in all of Canada. Yes, there will be challenges. Yes, this is an aspirational goal, but we can do it.... The diversity is so great here and the potential is so high that we should choose no other goal....
That was Jim Robb, general manager of the Friends of the Rouge Watershed.
Dr. Stephen Woodley, who is with the IUCN, and is the vice-chair for science, said:
The term “ecological integrity” is used as a management end point by many protected areas agencies globally, and it's embedded in the IUCN guidance. It provides a well-understood and measurable system to understand the ecological condition.
Michael Whittamore, who is president of Whittamore's Farm, made this statement:
...we have complete confidence in [Parks Canada's] ability to execute a management plan that will meet the needs and expectations of all the stakeholders and reach a level of ecological integrity for an urban park in an urban setting....
What does the member have to say about these expert witnesses, who range from local to international, on ecological integrity?