In early June, the Canadian Wildlife Conservation Partners (CWCP) held its first in-person meeting, in Ottawa, to discuss the new consortium’s rapid growth, and how it plans to be a powerful advocate for hunters and trappers.

The CWCP was launched on September 20 last year – a day which, not coincidentally, was also National Hunting, Trapping and Fishing Heritage Day. Four organizations were responsible for its founding: the Fur Institute of Canada (FIC), Delta Waterfowl, Safari Club International-Canada, and the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

All organizations participating in the CWCP share the goals of wanting to conserve wildlife and their habitats through science-based management, safeguarding biodiversity, and defending the rights and traditions of Canada’s hunters, trappers, and other outdoor enthusiasts. Its guiding principles and rules of engagement respect the autonomy of each organization while coordinating advocacy efforts on issues of national and provincial importance.

Chairing the Steering Committee is Chris Everett, Chapter/Advocacy Services Specialist-Canada for Safari Club International-Canada. Assisting her as vice-chair is Brian McCrae, Director of Government Affairs-Canada for Delta Waterfowl, joined by Kyle Stelter, CEO of the Wild Sheep Society, and Doug Chiasson, Executive Director of the FIC.

Growing Participation

In just nine months, membership has grown from these four founding organizations to 24 partners and five affiliates today (see below). Not only are they spread across the land, they are also diverse, including trapping and hunting organizations, outfitters, and wildlife federations.

“The need for outdoors advocacy organizations to band together to stand up for our outdoors heritage is bigger than ever,” says Chris Everett. “I’m proud to be part of a team that is turning ideas and words into action. The CWCP collectively represents over 1 million Canadians, and will continue to encourage governments to ensure conservation of wildlife and respect for our heritage activities is top of mind when making policy decisions.”

Brian McRae is totally on-board. “Delta Waterfowl is proud to be one of the founding members of the CWCP, uniting hunting, trapping and conservation organizations from coast to coast to coast,” he says. “Through collaboration, the CWCP will continue to engage with our governments on topics of provincial and national importance to ensure the voices of our communities are heard as it relates to our outdoor heritage activities.”

Kyle Stelter is also committed. “As a founding member of the CWCP, the Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia is proud to stand alongside like-minded organizations from across the country,” says Kyle. “CWCP, as Canada’s largest conservation collaborative, works to advance science-based wildlife conservation, protect our outdoor heritage, and develop practical solutions for habitat, hunting, trapping, and the outdoor community.”

And Doug Chiasson is a firm believer. “The CWCP is an exciting forum through which organizations from across the sustainable use space in Canada will be able to collaborate and cooperate,” he says. “By working together, I think we can really start to finally make sure that hunting, trapping and sustainable use of wildlife issues punch through to the forefront for federal and provincial decision-makers, instead of being stuck on the edge of someone’s desk.”

Current Members

Partner organizations are cordially invited to join the CWCP, providing only that they share its values. Following are its current partners and associates. If your organization is not among them, now is the time to join!

Partners: Alberta Professional Outfitters Society; Alberta Trappers Association; BC Trappers Association; BC Wildlife Federation; Big Game Records Club of British Columbia; Canadian Wild Turkey Federation; Delta Waterfowl; Fur Institute of Canada; Grand Slam Club Ovis Canada; Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia; Hunters for BC; Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association; Manitoba Wildlife Federation; Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association; North American Falconers Association; Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association; Northwestern Ontario Sportsmen’s Alliance; Québec Outfitters Federation; SCI – Canada; The Veteran Hunters; Trappers Association of Nova Scotia; United Guides and Outfitters of New Brunswick; University of Victoria Fish and Game Club; and Wild Sheep Society of British Columbia.

Affiliates: Born To Hunt, It’s a Lifestyle; Canadian Coalition for Firearm Rights; Canadian Federation of Outfitters Association; Canada in the Rough; and Wild Origins Canada.