Karen Sorensen, Alberta. I am the sponsor of this bill, and I live in Banff National Park, Treaty 7 territory.

Thank you for being here. My first question is for Ms. Salomonie. I understand that Parks Canada is currently working with Qikiqtani Inuit Association, or QIA, the Government of Nunavut and key federal departments to complete an interim management plan — I worked on many of those as well — to guide management of Tallurutiup Imanga among a National Marine Conservation Area. During the establishment process for the National Marine Conservation Area, I also understand there was extensive consultation with local communities. Can you expand for us what those consultations looked like, and I am curious how those negotiations are going on that plan.

Thank you.

To Mr. Norris, I would mention I am a Guelph grad but not at the level of education you have, but I certainly enjoyed my time there. With the increase in the impacts of climate change and biodiversity loss, ensuring these lands can benefit from the highest level of protection is more important than ever. In your opinion, do you feel that Bill S-14 strengthens the tools used to operate and manage national parks and national marine areas and assures us that Parks Canada is better placed to deliver on the conservation agenda for the Government of Canada?

I appreciate the work you do. I think when people think about national parks, they don’t always necessarily think about the marine life in the national park. Again, I appreciate that is what you focus on.

Chair, could I suggest that question is probably better left for the next panel? The minister and Parks Canada will be there. I’m not sure these witnesses would be able to respond to that second part of your question.

That’s okay. Mr. Campbell is in the gallery.

Yes. I’m sorry. I’m just suggesting that maybe —

No, I can’t —

We’ll have to ask the writer of the bill.

Merci. Thank you for being here, minister. Lovely to see you. I have two quick questions for you, I think. Bill S-14, just to confirm, involves lands that Parks Canada is currently I’ll use the word administering, and I’m curious for you to reiterate and elaborate on what are the current activities and issues in those lands that have caused concern and perhaps a greater need for added protection? Comments like illegal harvesting, dumping have been occurring.

Thank you. Second, minister, could you or your colleagues here discuss a little bit about the Indigenous Guardians program and what the current relationship is between the Indigenous Guardians program and the parks that are touched by this bill?

Thank you very much.