A federal policy to achieve no overall net loss of the nation's remaining wetlands base as defined by acreage and function and to restore and create wetlands where feasible, to increase the quality and quantity of the nation's wetland resource base.

A concept whereby conservation losses in one geographically or otherwise defined area are balanced by a gain elsewhere

A working principle which strives to balance unavoidable habitat losses through avoidance, mitigation, and habitat replacement on a project-by-project basis so that further reductions to Canada's fisheries resources due to habitat loss or damage may be prevented. (DFO Policy for the Management of Fish Habitat, 1986)