Since I was first elected as a Member of Parliament in 1993, I’ve been interested in bringing together those who enjoy outdoor sports like hunting and fishing with our politicians who make the laws we live by.

The introduction of the Outdoors Caucus in March 2006 has helped to provide a conduit into the heart of Parliament for this important outdoors constituency. Hunting, fishing, sport shooting and trapping are part of our Canadian heritage and there is every reason they should be represented in Ottawa.

This group of M.P.s and Senators has now grown to about 80 and is becoming one of the largest caucuses on Parliament Hill. I was proud to get this caucus started and I share the co-chair duties with Liberal M.P. Larry Bagnell, who represents the Yukon. Our fledgling non-partisan caucus is an excellent meeting point for Canada’s decision-makers and the people who enjoy the great outdoors.

The mission of our Outdoors Caucus includes protecting hunting, fishing, trapping and sport shooting activities by law. We want the public to support these activities as acceptable, traditional and environmentally sustainable activities that promote safety, conservation and the enjoyment of Canada’s great natural beauty.

Are the outdoors relevant to the Canadian lifestyle? Some five million of us invest $10 billion a year in these activities and it makes no difference where we live. We are fortunate in rural Saskatchewan to have the outdoors very near to where we live. At the same time, the people who live in our cities flock to the outdoors for weekends and vacations. Our wonderful natural heritage stretches from coast to coast in every province and territory. This Canadian way of life must be preserved for our recreation and pleasure.

The Outdoors Caucus will be examining management of our invaluable resources to ensure Canadians can always enjoy them. We need to closely monitor and manage our public lands, waterways, fish, wildlife and habitat. The M.P.s and Senators who comprise the Outdoors Caucus will work closely with the sporting community, the industries that manufacture and sell outdoors gear, and the conservation agencies that lobby the government for funding.

I believe there is a real need in Canada for the Outdoors Caucus because Canadians who enjoy these activities need a voice on Parliament Hill. There are groups in society that would like to get rid of hunting, fishing, trapping and sport shooting. It has been a challenge to get this caucus organized, but the more people learn about it, the more they share our goal and see its value. Generating the political will to sew the Outdoors Caucus into Canada’s fabric will be a legacy to us all.

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