November 25, 2002

SURREY, B.C. – “It is a great day for the Hunters and Anglers of this Province,” stated Bob Boswell, President of the B.C. Wildlife Federation upon hearing news that the Hunting and Fishing Heritage - Act Bill M204 - had passed third and final reading in the Legislature today. “Our thanks go to Bill Bennett, MLA, Hon. Joyce Murray and the Premier for their support on this historic piece of legislation.”

Hunters and anglers of this province contribute close to $1 billion annually to the economy in British Columbia. License fees alone, paid directly to the government by this group, are in excess of $15 million dollars which does not include the $5.5 million dollars paid directly to the Habitat Conservation Trust Fund for fish and wildlife enhancement work throughout the province. Nor does this does take into account the additional contribution they make to conservation with thousands of volunteer hours to provide a better environment for the fish and wildlife of B.C.

The Bill States:

WHEREAS hunting and fishing are an important part of British Columbia's heritage and form an important part of the fabric of present-day life in British Columbia;

WHEREAS hunters and anglers contribute to the understanding, conservation, and management of fish and wildlife in British Columbia;

WHEREAS hunting and fishing should be recognized as legitimate forms of recreation and as legitimate tools with which to effectively manage the fish and wildlife of British Columbia;

THEREFORE HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

1 A person has the right to hunt and fish in accordance with the law.

“It is a welcome move on the part of the government to institute legislation that recognizes the heritage of the hunters and anglers of British Columbia considering their contribution to our fish and wildlife resources and the overall economy of the province,” Boswell concluded

The B.C. Wildlife Federation is the largest and longest standing province wide voluntary conservation organization in British Columbia and is the voice of hunters and anglers in the province.

For further information contact,

Doug Walker (604) 533-2293

Executive Director