PICTURED Left to Right: Hon. Larry Bagnell, Member of Parliament for Yukon; Don Rusnak, Member of Parliament for Thunder Bay-Rainy River; Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies (Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus); Tony Bernardo, Executive Director, Canadian Shooting Sports Association; Tom Brooke, Recipient of Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus Honourary Membership; Larry Miller, Member of Parliament for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

En français

December 13, 2017

The Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus of Canada has named Tom Brooke, former President of the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association (CSIA), an Honourary Member of the Caucus.

The announcement was made in Ottawa on Tuesday December 5th at the Annual General Meeting of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus.

Tom is credited as the inventor of the Shimano Live Release Boats in the mid-1980s, versions of which operate today to ensure that millions of tournament-caught fish in North America are released alive and unharmed to their home waters.

“I am honoured to be able to recognize the dedication that Tom Brooke has to fishing and all of Canada’s outdoor heritage activities,” said Bob Zimmer, Member of Parliament for Prince George-Peace River-Northern Rockies and Co-Chair of the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus. “He exemplifies everything that the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus stands for and, as someone who I have known for many years, I am very pleased to welcome him as an honourary member.”

Tom Brooke is well known in recreational fishing circles throughout North America especially in his previous role of V.P. Operations for Shimano Canada. Also, he is no stranger to Parliament Hill as member of the CSIA Government Affairs Committee.  “Having been associated with the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus for a number of years,” stated Brooke, “I have come to appreciate the hard work and dedication so many MP’s put into their work not only for our great outdoors but on behalf of all Canadians through their public service. To be made an honourary member of such an outstanding group of men and women is a real honour.”

In addition to Brooke’s work with the Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and Canadian National Sportfishing Association – both organizations he helped to create – Tom is a current member of the Board of Directors of the Outdoor Caucus Association of Canada, the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters, and is the Past Chair of the Ontario Fish and Wildlife Heritage Committee. Tom is credited as the inventor of the Shimano Live Release Boats in the mid-1980s, versions of which operate today to ensure that millions of tournament-caught fish in North America are released alive and unharmed to their home waters.

Tom Brooke is only the third Canadian to receive such an honour from the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus. Previous honourees are Phil Morlock, Chair of the CSIA Government Affairs Committee, and Tony Bernardo, Executive Director of the Canadian Shooting Sports Association.

About the Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus:  The non-partisan all-party Parliamentary Outdoor Caucus was formed in 2006 and includes Members of Parliament and Senators from all political parties to reflect the fact that outdoor heritage activities are enjoyed by Canadians of all political persuasions and as such they must remain non-partisan and apolitical in Parliament.

About the CSIA/ CNSF: The Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association and Canadian National Sportfishing Foundation are non-profit organizations dedicated to the promotion and protection of recreational fishing in Canada through the following programs: Keep Canada Fishing, Catch Fishing, National Fishing Week and Bob Izumi’s Kids, Cops and Canadian Tire Fishing Days.

Keep Canada Fishing is the national voice of Canada’s anglers, and we lead the effort to preserve your right to sustainably fish on our lakes, oceans, rivers and streams. By informing anglers of current and potential issues and threats affecting recreational fishing and access to public waters, our goal is to motivate anglers to take action on matters of importance to the future of fishing and conservation. We’re also your voice on Parliament Hill. If you would like to contribute to our efforts to “Keep Canada Fishing,” you can donate now via PayPal.