OUTDOORS: Finley a member
By Jeff Helsdon - Staff Writer - Tillsonburg Independet News

The Tillsonburg News — Haldimand-Norfolk MP Diane Finley is the only local Member of Parliament to join the new outdoors caucus.

Saskatchewan MP Garry Breitkreuz, who is well known for his efforts to fight the federal gun registry, came up with the idea of an all-party outdoors caucus. An angler, hunter and outdoorsman himself, Breitkreuz thought it important to form a group of like-minded MPs who could promote Canada’s natural heritage.

So far 64 MPs and senators have joined the group. Locally, Finley is the only one involved to date. A spokesperson for her office said the MP enjoys fishing, canoeing and the outdoors and wanted to be a member.
A spokesperson for Elgin-Middlesex-London MP Joe Preston said while he hasn’t joined yet, he hasn’t made a final decision either way.

Oxford MP Dave MacKenzie, who isn’t an angler or hunter, said he supported Breitkreuz’s efforts but doesn’t have time to join. He said he is already part of the automotive and cement caucuses, on top of being the parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. And, most importantly, MacKenzie said he needs time for his constituents’ needs.

The outdoors caucus’ draft mission is to entrench in law fishing, hunting, trapping and shooting sports as acceptable, traditional, environmentally-sustainable outdoor heritage activities with a safety credo and a conservation ethic. The group also wants:

(a) To ensure that Canadians continue to have reasonable access to federally- managed public lands and waters to enjoy traditional outdoor heritage activities;

(b) To increase awareness of the economic importance of outdoor heritage activities to Canada's economy, and to support the growth of outdoor activities, heritage businesses and jobs;
(c) To preserve and promote the traditional Canadian outdoor heritage activities and the environmental stewardship ethic upon which they are based; and

(d) To support multiple sustainable uses and management of public lands, waters, fish, wildlife and habitat, based on sound science and professional natural resource tenets, for the benefit of all Canadians.
The formation of the outdoor caucus has already received support from several outdoors and conservation groups. These include: Ducks Unlimited, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters and the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association.