The parliamentary Outdoors Caucus I helped to create a couple of years ago continues to make its mark across the Canadian landscape. This is one of the most important organizations on Parliament Hill and I appreciate the help I received in founding it.

The all-party caucus has a mandate to help protect the Canadian heritage activities of hunting, fishing, sport shooting and trapping. I chaired a special breakfast on Parliament Hill on February 24 to announce an exciting new development for all who enjoy the great outdoors. For the first time, the Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada (OCAC) has been created as a direct conduit between the outdoors community and Parliament.

As the largest federal non-partisan caucus during the last Parliament, our goal is to preserve, promote and protect these heritage activities. We also encourage everyone to accept them as traditional and environmentally responsible pillars in Canadian culture.

Rural and urban Canadians of all political affiliations, backgrounds, ages and abilities contribute over $10 billion annually to the national economy through these outdoors activities. M.P.s and Senators at the breakfast were delighted to witness the launch of the Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada, which will work as our counterpart on the industry side. Unlike the parliamentary Outdoors Caucus, the new association can hold funds and elect a board of directors. The OCAC will be the outdoors constituency’s eyes and ears on our behalf, and guide us in a policy direction that will benefit all who love the outdoors.

Our breakfast meeting attracted more than 40 Members of Parliament and Senators who were asked to identify their own issues and priorities for future discussion. This new group has the potential to open doors across the country by giving outdoors activities the high profile they deserve.

It is also very gratifying that our counterparts in the Congress of the United States have recognized the parliamentary Outdoors Caucus as a brotherhood entity. We received a special letter signed by the four co-chairs of the Congressional Sportsmens’ Caucus, which is one of the largest and most active caucuses in the U.S. Congress. Canadian M.P.s and Senators will do well to keep the lines of communication open to discuss our common outdoors interests.

“Canada and the United States are friends and allies in many ways,” says the letter from the Congressional Sportmens’ Caucus. “The successful conservation of fish, wildlife and the restoration of habitat on the North American continent exists as a shared accomplishment due to the sustained efforts of people who hunt and fish in both countries. Much can be accomplished when elected representatives are able to work together across political party lines on these important issues… Whether we serve our constituents in Ottawa or Washington, D.C., we are fortunate to have colleagues who share our common interests and dedication to our outdoor heritage.”

There are large, well-funded, international groups who want to shut down hunting, fishing, trapping and sport shooting. The parliamentary Outdoors Caucus is really beginning to take flight – in tandem with the Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada, the people who are working to protect our heritage activities will have a louder voice than ever before.

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The audio version of Garry's March 2, 2009 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here