It’s rare to see all four major political parties agreeing on anything in Canada’s Parliament, and it has taken the Outdoors Caucus to bring us all together.

Members of Parliament representing the Conservatives, Liberals, New Democrats and Bloc Quebecois have each delivered a Standing Order 31 in the House of Commons to support the Outdoors Caucus. I delivered the Conservative endorsement on December 4 and the other parties followed suit to unite the vision of this important group of M.P.s and senators. All four standing orders are available for reading on my web site at www.garrybreitkreuz.com.

The Outdoors Caucus has also received a great deal of support from the groups and industries that benefit from this $10 billion-a-year business. Contrary to some accounts, there are more Canadians taking part in hunting, fishing, sport shooting and trapping than ever before. The equipment manufacturers, suppliers, outfitters and service industries have thrown their support behind our caucus and we will continue to develop those important relationships.

I was honoured to create the Outdoors Caucus in March 2006 and I’m pleased to report the membership has grown to include 95 M.P.s and senators and more are joining all the time. The establishment of the Outdoors Caucus indicates the support on Parliament Hill for the outdoors industry and recreation groups. Hunting, fishing, sport shooting and trapping are part of our Canadian heritage and these important activities deserve to be supported and represented in Ottawa.

The Outdoors Caucus is national in its scope, and it works for us right at home in Yorkton-Melville. The caucus promotes the safe and responsible use of firearms, which is a boon for hunters and farmers. Our farmers need the freedom to deal with predators. They need to control the gopher and coyote populations and protect themselves and their livestock from rabid animals.

The Outdoors Caucus will also continue to monitor land use and access, conservation, environmental concerns, endangered species, water management, wildlife sustainability and international cooperation. This hands-on stewardship in Ottawa will provide direct benefits to Yorkton-Melville and every other riding in the country.

The members of the Outdoors Caucus have unanimously approved the creation of a Canadian heritage outdoors foundation. This not-for-profit foundation is being created as an independent entity that can raise and hold funds, and provide input for policy recommendations to the Outdoors Caucus.
Canada’s outdoors users need to be protected by legislation that is derived from the input of people who understand the issues. We are protecting our traditional heritage activities with the Outdoors Caucus and the new heritage foundation, and that’s how progress is made.

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The audio version of Garry's March 31, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here