THE OUTDOORS CAUCUS of CANADA
HISTORICAL MEETING
Twenty-six members attended the founding meeting of the federal Outdoors Caucus (OC) in Ottawa on Wednesday, June 7, 2006. Considering the scheduling conflicts of parliamentarians, M.P. Garry Breitkreuz was “very pleased with the attendance.” All political parties and the Senate were represented. In keeping with its non-partisan focus M.P.s Breitkreuz and Larry Bagnell were elected Co-chairs; M.P. Paul Crete and Senator Gerry St. Germain vice Co-chairs. The Co-chairs talked about their visit to the Congressional Sportsmen’s Caucus in Washington.
“This American caucus has been in existence over 15 years,” said Breitkreuz. “They were very excited that we in Canada are doing the same.” He added that with 200 plus members this is the biggest working caucus in the U.S. and they are looking forward to working with their Canadian counterpart.
Bagnell mentioned that in such a co-operative climate they were able to discuss many issues – such as border crossing. “They (the Americans) didn’t realize what an impact having to have some form of special ID would have upon Americans who wanted to come to Canada to fish and hunt.”
Each member will be asked to donate $100 from their budgets as seed money for this fledgling organization. The Co-chairs will be recommending a non partisan, bilingual Caucus Coordinator and they will be seeking a non-partisan Advisory Committee to represent all regions and disciplines.
Other items of business included approving in principle Bill C-222 proposed by member Inky Mark, an act to “recognize and protect Canada’s hunting, trapping and fishing heritage.” A draft mission statement was presented for further study and discussion. The Caucus hopes to meet 3-4 times a year. The next meeting is tentatively scheduled for the fall. As of October 17, 2006 there were 76 members comprising 67 M.P.s and 9 Senators; 51 Conservatives, 17 Liberals, 4 NDP, 5 Bloc: 27-ON, 7-Que., 10-Alta, 7-Sask.,9-BC, 3-NS, 3-NB, 5-Man.,1-PEI, 2-Nfld., 1-Yukon, 1-Nunavut.
For the second meeting of the Caucus in November I was asked if I would like to make an extra $100 and act as secretary and record the meeting paying particular attention to decisions/announcements.
Outdoors Caucus comes indoors on Parliament Hill
Ottawa – December 21, 2007
At a breakfast meeting 50 members of Parliament and the Senate unanimously endorsed the creation of an independent, all-party Canadian Outdoor Heritage Foundation (COHF). The foundation will act as a liaison between the Canadian hunting, fishing, trapping and recreational shooting community, related business sectors, and the Outdoor Caucus which was created in March 2006. The foundation will also keep the public and media informed of Outdoor Caucus activities and efforts related to federal legislation and policy, said a Media Release.
As M.P. Breitkreuz said: “This unprecedented evolution will provide a permanent means for the Outdoor Caucus to ensure the outdoors community has a conduit directly into Parliament. Together, we can protect our outdoors heritage.”
Bob Izumi, The Real Fishing Show host, was guest speaker. He stressed that the millions of Canadians who fish and hunt are a significant constituency for members of Parliament in every region of Canada. They contribute millions of volunteer hours to fish and wildlife conservation. Izumi and brother Wayne have created Fishing Forever, a non-profit organization committed to preserving and enhancing Ontario fisheries.
“It was great to see the support from Bob Izumi and the outdoors community for this important meeting,” said Outdoors Caucus Co-chair Larry Bagnell. “Urban and rural citizens of all regions, political affiliations, ages, backgrounds and abilities take part in these outdoor sports. Parliament is a vital link in promoting and monitoring management of public lands, waterways, fish, wildlife and habitat.”
An Aside
At the conclusion of one Outdoor Caucus meeting this writer and Larry Bagnell were the only people present. I approached Larry and mentioned that I once worked at a summer camp with a Larry Bagnell.
“What camp was that?” he asked.
“Y.M.C.A. Camp Pine Crest,” I replied.
“That was me!” he said.
Turns out Larry’s mother lived in Whitney, I in Bancroft, and Larry followed a sweetheart to the Yukon. As the lone Liberal M.P. for the Yukon Larry would fly home from Ottawa every weekend to attend local functions, school graduations…At one time he took me on a tour of a tunnel used by parliamentarians to travel The Hill. As we toured he talked on the phone and occasionally briefed me on where we were. I quickly realized that the life of a multi-tasker M.P. was not for me.
During one national election P.M. Chretien insisted that all Liberal M.P.s follow his anti-gun position or they would not be permitted to run as a Liberal. Larry’s Yukon constituents were pro-gun. Larry followed the P.M.’s dictate and was defeated at the polls by a Conservative.
Phil Morlock of the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and a proponent of the COHF said it was “up to us to inform our federal representatives in Parliament of the importance of fish and wildlife conservation and its economic significance. “Millions of Canadians spend more than $10 billion a year on these outdoor heritage activities.”
At a parliamentary breakfast on February 24, 2009, in Canada’s capital, Phil Morlock announced the creation of the Outdoors Caucus Association of Canada (OCAC), which will work as the OC Parliamentary counterpart on the industry side, before a standing room only audience of 70 M.P.s and 4 cabinet ministers. The founding Board members are Phil Morlock of Shimano, former MP Barry Turner and OFAH Executive Director Mike Reader. The legally incorporated association has evolved as an entity separate from the national Outdoor Caucus (OC) of parliamentarians in both a supportive and advisory role. The OCAC board is presently reviewing a nomination process for additional board members from across Canada. Ottawa based, the OCAC will act as a liaison between the fishing, hunting, trapping, the recreational shooting community, related industries and the OC. The OCAC was established by a unanimous vote by the OC, in recognition of the need for this entity on behalf of both the outdoor public and the OC. “No other organization like it exists in Canada,” said Morlock.
Subsequently the OC received a letter of congratulations from the U.S. Congress. “The successful conservation for 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 all 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.”
The OCAC organized a fishing trip on the Ottawa River at Rockland on Sunday, September 23, 2012 and a recreational sport shoot at a local range. Ironically, this writer was no longer invited to attend even though my writing was fully supportive. I believe that I was initially invited due to my association with the Young family of Bancroft. Dennis Young and Sandy Campeau ‘ran’ Breitkreuz’s office. Due to my long time Out of Doors column in the Bancroft Times it seems natural that I be on hand for the initiation of such an important evolution. Ironically, I had been writing for the OFAH for many years, was a two time OFAH Zone Chair, and although the OFAH was heavily involved I was dropped from attending meetings and outtings.
Dennis, by the way, was at one time an RCMP officer and after moving back to Bancroft started his own Burgher Den fast food operation which was very popular before going to Ottawa to work for M.P. Breitkreuz. Co-incidentally, after Garry retired and Dennis moved to Alberta, I was no longer invited to attend meetings. And, as of this writing (April 2025) it has been a long time since I have heard of either the OC or OCAC. What happened?
Photo credit – Brant Scott – left to right – Mike Reader, Barry Turner, Phil Morlock
