Fisheries committee  I think it's a very fair assessment. The numbers and the diversity of stakeholders often dictate the amount of time that it takes to effectively consult and explain what the intentions are and to respond to the challenges that may be raised along the way. Certainly, in an area

Fisheries committee  As Mr. McNamee indicated, it was present in our minister's mandate letter to contribute to reaching the 10% target by 2020 and the 5% target by 2017. Again, I would say that it's driven by opportunity. We work with the other departments that are engaged in contributing to trying

Fisheries committee  The first thing I would say is that the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans retains authority for the management of commercial fishing in marine conservation areas, so it's a bit more a question for—

Fisheries committee  That's right, and I think there's likely a distinction between traditional use and commercial use. In terms of traditional use, these are well-established rights that we recognize in the establishment. In the north, for example, it's quite clearly stated in the land claim agreeme

Fisheries committee  It falls to Parks Canada. We have just under 100 park wardens. You would probably recognize the uniform of park wardens, with their Stetsons. The wardens have been around a long time. They are our dedicated law enforcement group. They're an armed enforcement group, and they work

Fisheries committee  Perhaps I'll start. Thank you for the question. I'll turn back—and you'll get copies—to the federal marine protected areas strategy. It helps to clarify the different roles that the different types of marine protection instruments provide. As I mentioned previously, Parks Can

Fisheries committee  Perhaps where I start is that marine conservation is managed differently than national parks are, and that's reflected in the legislation. It's clear in the legislation that the goal is to have sustainable ecosystems. That doesn't mean that protection is taking a back seat. I thi

Fisheries committee  Right.

Fisheries committee  The act is clear as well on that. Oil, gas, and mineral exploration are prohibited in marine conservation areas.

Fisheries committee  That's an excellent question. It's a fairly common approach that one has to take, particularly when you're establishing.... Marine conservation areas are developed through a representativity, so what we've done is identify the 29 marine ecological regions. Our goal is to have a

Fisheries committee  Perhaps you could clarify the question in which areas—

Fisheries committee  Thank you for the question. I'll start, perhaps, and Kevin may want to dive in. I think there are a couple of things. One is that in the NMCAs and the national parks that we create across the country, there's not a square inch of land or water that is not in some way the trad

Fisheries committee  Thank you for the question. You likely have had this raised earlier—I'm not sure—but there is a federal marine protected areas strategy that helps to define the unique roles that the different types of marine conserved areas play as a collective. A couple of things, I'd say,

Fisheries committee  The authorities for the management of fisheries and the management of shipping remain with the ministers responsible, the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Coast Guard, and the Minister of Transport, so those activities can continue. That said, any time there's conversation

Fisheries committee  Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman and committee members, thank you for the opportunity to testify before the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans regarding your study on marine protected areas. Parks Canada is the federal agency charged by Parliament with managing an impr