March 22, 2009
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Saskatchewan MP and Former OFAH Executive VP Honoured by Canada’s Outdoor Industry

Toronto, ON: The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA) has recognized two leaders who have made a difference in the protection and enhancement of Canada’s fish and wildlife.

At the Annual General Meeting of the CSIA last week, Garry Breitkreuz, Member of Parliament for Yorkton-Melville SK and Rick Morgan, the former long-time Executive Vice President of the Peterborough-based Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters were each presented with a Chairman’s Award by Tom Brooke, CSIA Chair.

Garry Breitkreuz has been an MP since 1993. In 2006, with the assistance of the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association, he helped to establish the non-partisan parliamentary Outdoors Caucus of which he is co-Chair. The mission of the Outdoors Caucus is to entrench in federal law fishing, hunting, trapping
and shooting sports as acceptable, traditional, environmentally-sustainable outdoor heritage activities.

“The economic health of the hunting and firearm industry is vital to many recreational fishing retailers and businesses across Canada,” states Phil Morlock, Chair of the CSIA Government Affairs Committee. “Garry Breitkreuz understands this and the CSIA strongly supports his efforts on behalf of the outdoor business community and our millions of customers who hunt and fish.”

Rick Morgan retired as Executive Vice President of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters in 2001 after 25 years of outstanding service. During that time, Morgan oversaw the growth of the organization from 13,000 members and 125 member clubs in 1976 to over 83,000 members and 625 member clubs in 2001. As the OFAH grew, so did its effectiveness with the addition of full time biologists and other professionals. Rick’s accomplishments on behalf of anglers and hunters in Ontario are numerous. A few highlights include being a key member of committees and initiatives that resulted in the establishment of the Ontario Family Fishing Weekend, the Community Fisheries and Community Wildlife Involvement Programs (CFIP & CWIP), the OFAH TackleShare Program, and the successful re-introduction of wild turkeys and elk in Ontario. Rick also began and was the first host of the award-winning Angler and Hunter Television series. He remained as Executive Producer and Host of the show for five years following his retirement as Executive VP.

“This year’s recipients of the Chairman’s Award are shining examples of Canadians who have poured their lives into the protection of our fish and wildlife, and the rights of anglers and hunters,” said Tom Brooke, CSIA Chairman. “It is my great pleasure to recognize two great Canadians: M.P. Garry Breitkreuz and Rick Morgan.”

M.P. Breitkreuz was also the keynote speaker at the Annual General Meeting of the CSIA which was emceed by Association President Kim Rhodes.

Breitkreuz was generous in his praise of the CSIA, and in particular of Phil Morlock, for the hard work in helping to establish the first-ever Outdoors Caucus in Canada. M.P. Breitkreuz pointed out that the response from other M.P.s and Senators from all regions of the country has been positive. He also mentioned that our southern neighbours have noted the work of our Outdoors Caucus. Breitkreuz explained that the U.S. Congressional Sportsmens’ Caucus, one of the largest caucuses in the U.S. Congress, has recognized the parliamentary Outdoors Caucus as a brotherhood entity.

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For more information and to arrange interviews, please contact Mike Melnik at Impact Communications: 888-296-8978; mike@impactcom.ca