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Media Advisory/Communiqué
Date: November 6th, 2003 STECKLE SPONSORS BILL TO RECOGNIZE THE IMPORTANCE OF HUNTING AND FISHING TO CANADIAN CULTURE OTTAWA - Paul Steckle, M.P. (Huron - Bruce) today jointly co-sponsored the introduction of the National Heritage Hunting and Fishing Act in the House of Commons. In addition to proposing the establishment of the National Fish and Wildlife Heritage Commission, the legislation seeks to formally recognize the vitally important role that anglers and hunters have filled in Canada's history. The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) and the National Coalition of Provincial and Territorial Wildlife Federations have both added their enthusiastic support to this legislation. Greg Farrant, Government Relations Relations/Communications Manager for the OFAH underscored this by saying, "By introducing this bill, the government is recognizing the importance of angling and hunting as cultural heritage activities in Canada. The bill acknowledges the important contribution that anglers and hunters make to the conservation of our natural resources." Steckle concluded, "As the Treasurer of the National Liberal Outdoors Caucus, and as an avid angler and hunter myself, I am proud to have played a part in putting this legislation forward. Canada, and indeed North America, exists today as a direct result of the lush and abundant natural resources that this nation was blessed with. From the first nations people and the coureur des bois, to modern day fishers and hunters, these naturalists have, by their example, shown us all that we must work very hard to manage and preserve our natural resources for our children and grandchildren. This bill is a first step towards recognizing these realities and one stride along the road that will ensure that those who come after us will have the pleasure of fishing with a grandchild, bird watching with a parent, hunting with a friend or just watching our natural surroundings quietly - alone."
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