My fellow CSSA members, friends, and supporters of Canadian firearms rights,
I stand before you today with mixed emotions. The April 28th election didn’t go as we had hoped. Many of you stayed up late that night, watching the results come in, feeling that familiar knot in your stomach growing tighter with each update. I felt it too.
But understand this beyond all doubt: This is not the end. This is not even close to the end. The Canadian Shooting Sports Association has weathered storms before, and we’re still standing. We’re not just standing – we’re fighting. And we will continue to fight for your rights, for our sport, for our heritage, and for our future. The path ahead may be challenging, but I’ve never been more certain of our resolve.
Regarding the election, let there be no doubt: we were far from passive. We proactively ran 27 targeted social media campaigns in ridings that, while historically Liberal strongholds, presented a genuine opportunity for change. Beyond that, we aired television commercials on WILDTV and launched an extensive digital billboard campaign throughout the Greater Toronto Area, ensuring our message reached a broad audience.
Now, I want to shift gears and express my deepest gratitude to each and every one of you. Our strength as an organization doesn’t come from any single person or initiative – it comes from you, our members. Your dedication shows up in countless ways: volunteering at our events, sending donations, sharing our message with friends and family. Without your unwavering support, none of what we do would be possible.
The past year has been one of significant achievements for the CSSA, despite the challenges we’ve faced. Our team has worked tirelessly – and when I say tirelessly, I mean it. Many nights, the glow of laptop screens stretched late into the night as our team worked, pouring their hearts into protecting your rights and advancing our cause.
Let me share some of our accomplishments since our last AGM. If you’ve visited our website recently, you’ve noticed its complete transformation. The new design isn’t just about looking better – it’s about making information more accessible to you, our members, and to those seeking to understand our community better.
Our eNEWS remains a cornerstone of firearms-related information in Canada. From the start, we’ve covered not just Canadian updates, but significant developments from around the world that could impact our community. The feedback we’ve received has been overwhelmingly positive, and we’re committed to maintaining this high standard of reporting.
Our social media presence has grown substantially, serving two crucial purposes. First, it keeps our members engaged and informed in real-time. Second, and perhaps more importantly, it’s become an invaluable tool for education. We’re reaching people who might never have considered the sporting and cultural significance of firearms in Canadian society, and we’re changing minds through facts, not fear.
Our team has maintained a strong presence at major events across the country. From TACCOM and the Toronto Sportsmen’s Show as well as shows across the nation, we’ve been there, listening to your concerns, sharing information, and building our community. These face-to-face interactions are invaluable – they remind us why we do what we do and help us understand the real impacts of our advocacy work.
When I hear about families teaching their children responsible firearms use, when I hear about competitive shooters finding their passion through our sport, when I hear about collectors preserving pieces of history – these stories remind me why the CSSA’s mission is so vital.
We’re not just protecting a hobby or a sport. We’re protecting a fundamental part of Canadian heritage, a tradition of responsibility, skill, and respect that’s been passed down through generations. And with your continued support, we’ll ensure it’s passed down to many more.
As we look ahead to the coming year, I want you to know that your CSSA team is more determined than ever. We have challenges ahead, yes, but we also have opportunities. Opportunities to educate, to grow, to adapt, and to demonstrate the true character of Canada’s firearms community.
Remember: we are not what our opponents claim we are. We are athletes, collectors, hunters, and responsible citizens. We are your neighbors, your colleagues, your friends. And together, we are an unstoppable force for positive change in Canadian society.
Thank you all for your unwavering support. Let’s make this coming year one of our strongest yet.
Thank you
