Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that Environment Canada ensure that the importance of Canadians having opportunities to interact with nature be reflected in its development of the National Conservation Plan.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that, under the National Conservation Plan, Environment Canada promote a holistic approach to urban conservation that involves strong partnerships between all levels of government and recognizes initiatives that involve private, public and not-for-profit entities as a best practice.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that Environment Canada include urban conservation, including jurisdictionally appropriate benchmarks, as an important component of the National Conservation Plan.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the Government of Canada further promote and support responsible stewardship of federal lands and facilities that are located in urban areas.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that Environment Canada explore how to facilitate sharing knowledge, including best practices and information relevant to urban conservation, among Canadian stakeholders.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that Environment Canada prioritize the principles of reducing administrative burden on project applicants, understanding that local groups are often the best placed service providers in promoting the use of leveraged funds and managing funding related to community-based conservation funding programs.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that Infrastructure Canada initiate a dialogue with municipal, provincial and territorial partners regarding the possibility of including urban ecological infrastructure as a category under existing or future federal infrastructure funding programs.