The Federal Shadow Minister for Hunting, Fishing and Conservation is visiting the area on Thursday.
Conservative MP for Red Deer-Lacombe Blaine Calkins will be in Grey Bruce to meet members of local outdoors groups and discuss issues facing hunting, angling and conservation, particularly the Liberal government’s bill to tighten gun laws.
Conservative MP for Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound Alex Ruff says a big issue over the past couple of years has been the Liberal government’s focus on banning firearms.
“It’s a big issue in our riding in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound, so I invited Blaine down here so we are going to get out talking to the anglers and sport shooters and the hunters tomorrow,” says Ruff, adding, “so we have got some stuff with them on the water in the morning and we are meeting at the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association there for anybody,” says Ruff.
Calkins is the current Chair of the Conservative Hunting and Angling Caucus. He is expected to discuss issues like Bill C-21.
The bill, which passed the House of Commons in May nearly a year after it was first introduced by the Liberal government, does a number of things including tightening gun laws and imposing a freeze on the sale, purchase or transfer of handguns in Canada.
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Invites for the event have gone out to the Bruce Peninsula Sportsmen’s Association, the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association, Outdoor Adventures, East Grey Hunters & Anglers Association, and the Owen Sound Revolver Club. Seating is limited, but anyone who is interested can attend.
Ruff hopes for a couple of hours they will be able to meet and interact with those at the event and allow Calkins to get direct feedback and Ruff says enable him to do his job at a more holistic level.
“My job is to represent the people here in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound as we continue to make sure that the legislation and regulation coming out of the Liberal government is not punishing the most law abiding demographic in Canada,” says Ruff.
Ruff says they have events starting at 6 a.m. on Thursday and will gather at 1 p.m. at the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association.
“It’s an opportunity for those people that are concerned about hunting, angling and conservation in Bruce-Grey-Owen Sound to have a chance to provide their feedback directly to myself and Mr. Calkins,” says Ruff.
President of the Sydenham Sportsmen’s Association Chris Geberdt says he feels it’s a great opportunity to host Calkins.
“It puts not only our event on the map but Owen Sound on the map. To me, it’s really important bringing any minister from any federal or provincial party is a big deal to me,” says Geberdt.