Hon. Diane F. Griffin: I wish to adjourn the debate.

Senator Plett: No.

Senator Griffin: I think I received the answer I need, namely, that it will be timely; and if it’s not timely, I’ll be back. Thank you.

Hon. Diane F. Griffin: Honourable senators, I have a question for the Government Representative in the Senate.

Senator Gold, proposed changes to the Migratory Birds Regulations appeared in the Canada Gazette, Part I, on June 1, 2019. These regulations were first promulgated in 1917 under the Migratory Birds Convention Act, but they have not been substantially changed in the years since and are in sore need of modernization.

As it turns out, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change has been tasked with halting and reversing nature loss in Canada by 2030. This will be a huge challenge, indeed. There are drastic declines in some species of Canadian birds. For example, since the 1970s, two thirds of migratory birds that rely on grasslands and feed on flying insects have been lost.

Senator Gold, these changes are on the minister’s desk for action on his part, and have been there for quite some time. Will the government act to modernize our Migratory Birds Regulations? Thank you.