Canada 2024 Recap
There were some big wins in Canada for SCI in 2024. SCI hosted their annual Canada meetings in Ottawa in June. Due to these meetings happening at the same time, SCI also had a big presence at the Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus Outdoors Symposium on Parliament Hill. With the largest contingent representing all corners of Canada, SCI brought the perspective of hunters and anglers to all discussions, as well as leading information sessions on CITES and the importance of fighting useless import and export bans. Following the meetings, SCI attended the Caucus’ annual Wild Game Garden Party at the future Prime Minister, Hon. Pierre Poilievre’s residence.
In August, our Advocacy team was made aware of concerns from Canadian Guide Outfitters regarding the USDA border policy for amount of meat being brought back to the US from Canada. This would drastically impact the ability for hunters to return with all of the meat from their harvests due to the limit of 50 lbs per vehicle. Through conversations, SCI successfully got the USDA to clarify and allow for hunters to return with all their meat from their harvests.
December brought about some new firearms bans, and SCI was one of the first to release a statement condemning the government for attacking the legal, licensed firearms owners in Canada instead of focusing on the criminals committing the crime. SCI worked collaboratively with some other organizations in Canada to send a letter to the government highlighting the concerns with the government’s firearms bans that only impact hunters, sport shooters, trappers and collectors.
SCI continues to sit on the Parliament Outdoor Caucus Board, and is an annual sponsor for the Parliamentary Day at the Range where legislators and staff are invited to the gun range to learn about firearm safety and see why the shooting sports are a safe activity. 2024 brought a new designated staff member in Canada, Chris Everett, who comes to us after a decade of working in politics where she focused on hunting, fishing, firearms and conservation policy. Her focus with SCI is on government relations and chapter services, and with her connections, conversations with elected officials is only going to increase more and SCI will continue to grow in Canada. With a looming federal election in 2025, Chris will be busy working on our behalf, ensuring candidates are keeping conservation and hunting in mind when drafting platforms and working on a ‘100 day plan’ for the new government that will include the top priorities for hunters and SCI members across Canada.