NEWS RELEASE

May 4, 2004                                                                                         For Immediate Release

GOVERNMENT’S SNEAK ATTACK ON FISHING INDUSTRY EXPOSED

“Very little science behind Liberals’ proposed ban on lead sinkers and brass fishing lures.”

Ottawa – During yesterday’s Question Period, Garry Breitkreuz, Conservative M.P. for Yorkton-Melville, exposed Environment Minister David Anderson’s sneak attack on the estimated eight million Canadians who enjoy fishing and the industries that serve their needs.  Breitkreuz was referring to the Liberal government’s February 17^th announcement that they “… will soon propose regulations that will bring about an eventual prohibition on the import, manufacture and sale of fishing sinkers and jigs containing lead.”

Here is the text of Breitkreuz’s statement in the House of Commons:

Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, CPC): Mr. Speaker, men and women who enjoy fishing are on the Liberal hit list.  Decades of Liberal red tape has been killing hunting and shooting sports in Canada. Now they have picked the fishing industry as their next target.  A few weeks ago, the environment minister tried to quietly announce his proposal to ban all lead sinkers and brass fishing lures. He plans to put his plan into place in October, after the election. There are about eight million men and women in Canada who enjoy fishing. This Liberal government is going after them, just like it went after firearms owners.  Liberals have driven hundreds of thousands of responsible firearms owners out of their sport; have cost the Canadian economy more than 10,000 businesses and the thousands of jobs that go with them. Now they have a plan to do the same thing to the fishing industry by banning fishing tackle. All this is being done without sufficient scientific evidence that there is even a problem. It is about time we gave Liberals the hook.

“The Liberals are using the same death-by-a-thousand-cuts tactics to attack the recreational fishing industry that has been so successful in ravaging the hunting and shooting sports in Canada over the last 30 years,” declared Breitkreuz.  “Minister Anderson started his behind-closed-doors anti-fishing campaign in June of 2000 and has repeatedly refused to meet with or respond to calls and correspondence from the Canadian Sport Fishing Industry Association.”

“During debate of a Private Member’s Bill on the same issue just two years ago, the government promised a three-step program:

• Promise #1: “a clear understanding of the impact of lead fishing gear on wildlife” - NOT IMPLEMENTED!
• Promise #2: “work in partnership with stakeholders” - NOT IMPLEMENTED! 
• Promise #3: “scientific information for discussion with all stakeholders” - NOT IMPLEMENTED! 

After the election will be too late for the fishing industry.  Today is the day for every Canadian who enjoys fishing to demand answers from Paul Martin’s Liberals,” concluded Breitkreuz.

Note: Outdoor Canada Magazine columns on this issue:

http://www.cssa-cila.org/garryb/articlesofinterest.htm

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