ENVI Committee Report

Recommendation 1: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to work with multiple levels of government and stakeholders, recognizing that they have knowledge and a key role to play in support of habitat conservation planning and in sharing and implementation of best practices.

Recommendation 2: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada’s habitat conservation efforts take into consideration local and regional habitat conservation efforts and acknowledge the habitat conservation practices of Canadian businesses and industry.

Recommendation 3: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada develop a more inclusive definition of "conserved areas" which accounts for all areas in Canada where species habitat has been effectively conserved; and that the Government of Canada work with other levels of government, private landowners, and other stakeholders to identify areas for habitat conservation and ensure that all such conserved areas are fully acknowledged and accounted for.

Recommendation 4: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to invest in, and partner with, conservation groups that produce meaningful conservation outcomes.

Recommendation 5: The Committee recommends that the National Conservation Plan be an appropriate vehicle to stimulate the development of innovative incentive programs that complement appropriate regulation and support habitat conservation on  private lands.

Recommendation 6: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work with all levels of government, industry and private conservation organizations to implement a nation-wide, incentive-based ecological goods and services program for the privately-owned agricultural and forestry landscapes.

Recommendation 7: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to encourage voluntary stewardship through its programs.

Recommendation 8: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada work with all levels of government, private landowners and other stakeholders to establish incentives that work alongside regulations in order to retain and restore wetlands.

Recommendation 9: That the Government of Canada continue to build on the success of private land conservation programs such as the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk and the Ecological Gifts Program.

Recommendation 10: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada build on the successes of the Habitat Stewardship Program for Species at Risk by improving its performance targets and the efficiency of program delivery for responding to funding applications.

Recommendation 11: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada utilize the knowledge and experience of those Canadians who live closest to the land including Aboriginal peoples, farmers, ranchers, hunters, and the entire conservation community.

Recommendation 12: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to invest in targeted research that will improve habitat conservation outcomes and ensure that the results of this research be made available to the public.

Recommendation 13: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to work with willing partners to improve the coordination of conservation activities among jurisdictions.

Recommendation 14: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to show leadership in protecting Canada’s rich natural heritage by continuing to expand Canada’s national parks system and by completing the National Conservation Plan.

Recommendation 15: The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada continue to work in partnership with all levels of government, and other stakeholders to ensure efficient delivery of habitat conservation programs across Canada.