October 17, 2022

For Immediate Release

Peterborough, ON:  The recent Shadow Cabinet announcement by the Honourable Pierre Poilievre as Leader of the Official Opposition included the appointment of Member of Parliament Blaine Calkins in a newly created portfolio as Shadow Minister for Hunting, Angling and Conservation. This is the first time in history where the millions of Canadians who participate in these outdoor heritage activities and the related supporting economies have received formal recognition and dedicated Cabinet level representation from the leadership of a political party.

“I’m pleased that Pierre recognizes the outdoor community for their valuable contributions to conservation and our economy!”, said Mr. Calkins, MP for Red Deer-Lacombe. “By having a seat at the Shadow Cabinet table, I will ensure that conservation and our heritage sports are always considered in every decision”, he added.

CSIA Government Affairs Director Phil Morlock said, “We congratulate Mr. Calkins for this well-deserved appointment and thank Mr. Poilievre for this unprecedented acknowledgement of the relevance of people who fish and hunt and their leadership for more than a century as natural resource conservationists.” He continued, “We encourage the other federal political leaders to take similar action as anglers and hunters live in every riding in Canada.”

For more than fifteen years, the CSIA has worked closely with the all-party Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus to restore the use of the successful science-based North American Model of Conservation at federal agencies and to advance and protect the interests of anglers of all ages and abilities.

Mr. Calkins said, “Holding the government to account on this significant file, we will be working in partnership with the provincial, territorial, indigenous bodies and local stakeholders across Canada. This will be a priority going forward”.

About the CSIA: The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and its partner organization Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation are non-profit organizations comprised of manufacturers, retailers, distributors and sales agencies dedicated to the promotion and protection of recreational fishing in Canada. Our programs include National Fishing Week, Catch Fishing, Keep Canada Fishing, and Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Days

For more information, please contact Mike Melnik at 888-296-8978 or mike@catchfishing.com.