41st Parliament, 2nd Session

Edited Hansard • Number 029
Tuesday, December 3, 2013

STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Canada's Fur Industry

 

Mr. Garry Breitkreuz (Yorkton—Melville, CPC):

Mr. Speaker, today is Canada's first fur day on the Hill. Fur industry representatives from all over Canada are here in Ottawa to remind parliamentarians of the economic impact of this important sector.

Canada's fur industry is an important part of the livelihood of tens of thousands of Canadians contributing over $800 million annually to our economy and directly employing 75,000 people, one-third of whom are aboriginal.

Roughly 250 families or 750 individuals and family members per federal riding are directly reliant on the fur trade for their income. The fur sector also plays an important role in the management and conservation of Canada's wildlife populations.

While the fur sector is growing here in Canada and internationally, there are a number of issues threatening the current and future success of this important sector.

On behalf of the parliamentary outdoors caucus, I encourage my hon. colleagues to learn about Canada's fur industry and do what they can do help this industry continue to grow and prosper.

 

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