Environment committee  I think there are ways of using some of the existing pieces within the legislation, like conservation agreements, that would facilitate that. There are also other options. In the United States, for example, they have what are called “safe harbor agreements”. They are similar to conservation agreements under section 11, but they allow a landowner or a project developer to enter into an agreement with an NGO, where the property owner or developer receives assurances that if they fulfill the conditions of that agreement, they won't be required to do any additional management activities.

Environment committee  Yikes, okay.

Environment committee  The second is a transfer of development credits. In those, basically, you can trade credits where development takes place. It helps ease pressure in areas of high development. Third is innovation. In Australia there's a program that provides grants specifically for innovative conservation programs.

Environment committee  Good morning, committee members and guests. I'm Rick Bates, executive director of the Canadian Wildlife Federation. My colleague, James Page, is our manager of the species at risk program. The Canadian Wildlife Federation is the largest conservation organization in Canada by membership, with more than 300,000 supporters.

Environment committee  I think that's true. Yes.

Environment committee  Well, I think part of it is looking at the areas of greatest impact. That is typically our southern areas. They're intensively developed from an urban, agricultural, or industrial point of view. Where you have many impacts like that, it typically causes stress on wildlife.

Environment committee  Yes, I think so. One of the advantages we have in areas that are less developed is the opportunity to do proactive planning, which would allow for quicker decisions. Right now, when we're trying to make decisions around development or conservation in the developed landscape, there are so many interest groups and so many issues and problems that it protracts decision-making.

Environment committee  There is opportunity to do more creative thinking and program development in the area of market-based incentives for stewardship. There are some good examples out there, but there is tremendous opportunity as well.

Environment committee  If I may, one of the important things is to support the leaders who are there. There are leaders in every community who take the time to take kids outdoors and teach them about camping, just to go camp in a backyard. It doesn't take much, but they need support. It's helpful for them to have support, and they're in every community across our country.

Environment committee  Yes. In principle, the ecosystem approach is probably the most efficient. As mentioned before, though, I think you can start from either end and arrive in the same spot. But as a starting spot, the ecosystem approach is excellent, yes.

Environment committee  Yes, I think it would be very helpful to have clear recommendations and targets for marine-managed areas or protected areas, whatever term we like to use, identifying the most important areas for wildlife in the ocean and being clear about our intentions.

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  Yes.

Environment committee  Yes. I think those are clearly no-lose recommendations. There's an opportunity to benefit all by taking that kind of an approach.