Environment committee  Yes, you're right, the act does require us to identify critical habitat. As I said, we are in the process of doing that and have done that for a number of species. This is one of the areas that's proving to be more challenging. For example, to use one species that Environment C

Environment committee  Sorry, I misunderstood. I thought you were talking more generally. With the woodland caribou, again—

Environment committee  There was a science assessment study to assist in identifying critical habitat. This is an example where Environment Canada had to seek expertise outside of Environment Canada. The minister is reviewing that and is fully intending to make that public as soon as possible.

Environment committee  I'll take that question, Mr. Chair. We've tried to convey in the opening presentation that there is a lot of work happening. It's a challenge to work under legislation in the first five years. There's been a lot of hiring of new staff--I mentioned increased resources--training

Environment committee  I guess there are a couple of points I'd like to make on this one, Mr. Chair. There has been controversy about what the status is, given the difference in the classification title given by the IUCN and COSEWIC, and by the Americans, in fact. That was one of the reasons the Mini

Environment committee  It has increased. It increased significantly with budget 2007.

Environment committee  Yes. Overall, in 2006 we were spending $40 million, and in 2007-2008, $51 million. That's exclusive of enforcement.

Environment committee  Mr. Chair, I believe you're inviting the chair of the COSEWIC committee, when you probably can get more into detail. I wouldn't call it necessarily a backlog. Governments provide a general status report on the status of species in Canada. That's the 7,000-plus that we're tracki

Environment committee  In Canada, yes.

Environment committee  I think we have about 70,000 species in Canada.

Environment committee  I don't know that anybody can say they know how many species they have in their country when, as I said in my opening remarks, only about 15% of the planet's biological diversity has been described in any meaningful way.

Environment committee  You could say that.

Environment committee  Well, there is activity happening. I guess first of all I should be clear that the tracking is happening at both provincial and territorial levels as well as at the federal government level. There is funding on nomenclature, taxonomy, etc., mostly in museums and academia. There a

Environment committee  The budget for species at risk research has also increased in that same time period.

Environment committee  As part of that overall increase. Yes, I'd say significantly. Environment Canada's traditional area of expertise in wildlife was limited to migratory birds. We now have resources for internal science and also to fund external science that augments our traditional capacity and kno