Mr. Speaker, today, the debate on Motion No. 15 is coming to an end. Basically, this motion brings us back to a very simple yet fundamental question: What are we actually doing to protect our lands in Canada in 2026?
That may seem like a broad question, but on the ground, it takes a very practical form. As our Prime Minister so rightly said, “The beauty of Canada's nature — from lakes and forests to mountains and coastlines — is central to our history, our identity, and our way of life. As Canadians, we have the responsibility to protect the lands and waters we have inherited”.
In my riding of Brome—Missisquoi, in the Eastern Townships, this is a reality that we experience every day. We live in a region where the richness of our land is part of our identity. However, this richness is fragile and much of it is found on private land. I regularly meet with concerned landowners, families and citizens who want to protect their land because they care about preserving what they have received and passing it on to future generations. These people are making important choices that have a direct impact on biodiversity, the quality of our living environments and the future of our regions, but they cannot do it alone.
Right there beside them are conservation organizations, such as Appalachian Corridor and the Société de conservation du Mont Brome, which work tirelessly to protect these areas. They support owners, organize projects and manage protected areas over the long term. In short, they make conservation possible from a practical perspective. What these people on the ground are telling us is that the Canadian model of voluntary conservation is working but that it could be improved. Today, our system recognizes ecological gifts of land. That is a good thing. However, the reality of conservation is not just about acquiring land. It is also about everything that comes before and after: management, maintenance and protection over the long term. That depends largely on the organizations' ability to act.
Motion No. 15 raises the issue of fairness and consistency. It invites us to ensure that our tax tools accurately reflect this reality as a whole and that the various ways of contributing to conservation are recognized in a fair and balanced way because, ultimately, the goal is to sustainably protect our natural environments. This discussion is also part of a broader context. The Government of Canada recently announced a new national nature strategy, which clearly recognizes that we need to mobilize more private capital to meet our conservation goals. That is a very important point. Governments have a role to play, but we know that we will not meet our goals without citizen engagement. We will not succeed without the help of the private sector. Most importantly, we will not succeed without creating the right tools.
A large portion of the land to be protected is privately owned. That means one thing: We have to work with local residents. We have to give them tools. We have to recognize their contribution. We have to ensure that the framework they operate in is consistent, effective and adapted to today's reality. Motion No. 15 reinforces exactly that. By improving tax incentives, we are creating the conditions needed to mobilize more private capital for conservation. We are transforming willingness into true capacity for action. That is exactly the spirit behind Motion No. 15. This approach is not coercive. It is not a one-size-fits-all approach. It is based on collaboration, voluntary commitment and shared responsibility.
Obviously, as in any serious debate, concerns have been raised and they are important. We must always ensure that the measures that we put in place are properly regulated and responsible and that they achieve the desired results. Motion No. 15 proposes that we take a step back and begin considering this in a structured way drawing on expertise from the field, from organizations and from citizens. This is an invitation to improve what already exists. Protecting our land is not an abstract issue. It is real. It is local. It often starts with individual decisions, decisions made by people who choose to protect a woodland or natural environment, to contribute to something bigger than themselves. Our role as parliamentarians is to ensure that these people are recognized, supported and encouraged.
Motion No. 15 sends a clear message that protecting our natural heritage is a shared responsibility; that, at a time when Canada is setting ambitious targets, we also need to give ourselves the means to achieve them, particularly by mobilizing private capital; and that it is in our collective interest to give ourselves the means to act together in an intelligent, consistent and sustainable manner.
In closing, I want to thank Stéphanie and Anne from my office, who supported me tirelessly and whose work was essential in putting forward this motion in the House.