Environment committee  Yes, we are talking about a decline. As I said at the outset, the upper St. Lawrence Plain is the area with the most biodiversity, but also with the most species at risk, given the variety of threats affecting it. I think that less than 3% of the area is protected, because it is

Environment committee  The current focus of our work is not on aquatic areas. However, we are working with voluntary landowners who have aquatic areas on their property. There are not very clear statistics on degradation for our region. Normally, the provincial government does the follow-up. But becaus

Environment committee  Yes, it is something that was developed about 50 years ago. Landowners voluntarily decided to protect their natural heritage. At the first stage, we target landowners who live in priority zones and where there are species at risk. We send them a letter asking them if they are awa

Environment committee  For funding, as I said, there is the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk, for example, and interdepartmental funds. There are a number of funds. The different existing programs must be considered. There is also a list of species at risk. Currently, for example, Quebe

Environment committee  I could not give you the exact amount because I have not done an evaluation. However, to provide a full-time salary, we would need at least $50,000 for a coordinator, for example. That would be the minimum, certainly.

Environment committee  The act is very important, because without it, species would not be protected. It is essential, certainly. Regarding its application on the ground, the Department of Fisheries and Oceans can work with the Department of Natural Resources, with municipalities and NGOs like ours to

Environment committee  Yes, certainly, but there needs to be funding in order to have officers on the ground to enforce the act.

Environment committee  We have been active on the ground for four years. We have done diagnostics with 44 landowners that we call volunteers. We made recommendations to them on protecting wetlands as well as riparian and aquatic areas and also forest species. We also conduct research, in parallel with

Environment committee  Yes. I myself have a PH.D. in environment, and all of my employees have a science degree, for example in environmental studies, forest engineering or aquatic biology.

Environment committee  Over the past 10 years, there have mainly been delays in response times. This year, there were cuts.

Environment committee  This year, it is about $40,000 less.

Environment committee  For five years.

Environment committee  We received between $50,000 and $60,000. This year, the amount is $30,000.

Environment committee  We used to receive $50,000, but this year, the amount received is $30,000.

Environment committee  Yes. We cannot follow up on all the 44 landowners. It depends on funding. If we received more, we could do all of those follow-ups. We do them especially for those who signed an agreement. Landowners' documents are the first step in their commitment to protecting the environment.