Hon. Brian Francis: Minister Guilbeault, one of the priorities in your most recent mandate letter published in December 2021 was to establish 10 new national parks by 2026 and enter into cooperative management agreements with Indigenous communities.

It is my understanding that the establishment of the proposed national park reserve at Hog Island, P.E.I., would be the first step in fulfilling that commitment, as well as subsequent ones. This sacred area holds historical, cultural and environmental significance. While all the necessary work has been completed, no progress has been made in over a year to preserve it.

On behalf of the Epekwitkewaq, Mi’kmaq and Islanders, I ask: When does the Government of Canada plan to establish and fund the national park reserve on Hog Island, P.E.I.?

Hon. Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change: Thank you, senator, for the question.

We have, in fact, had a very fruitful discussion to move this project forward. As you rightly pointed out, it’s part of a number of new national urban parks that we are moving forward. We need to finalize the funding to be able to make this project — as well as a number of others — come to fruition.

I would, however, point to the fact that, in the last month alone, we have announced new protected areas in Canada in collaboration with Indigenous nations that spans more than 1 million square kilometres — that’s roughly four times the size of the United Kingdom.

We are moving forward on the creation of new protected areas and new parks, including national urban parks, in collaboration with Indigenous nations, including in P.E.I. as well as throughout the country.

Senator Francis: Thank you for that, minister. I look forward to some positive news on this particular project in P.E.I. in the near future.

Mr. Guilbeault: As do I, senator. I look forward to it, too.