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Author Archive | Steve Corscadden

Senator’s attempt to ban handguns Fails.

By on April 8, 2019 in Firearms

NFA Media Release
April 8, 2019
A Trudeau-appointed Senator’s attempt to ban handguns fails at Senate committee

OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Today at the Senate National Security and Defence committee hearings on Bill C-71, Senator Marilou McPhedran, a Manitoba Senator appointed by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, moved to amend bill C-71 to add a clause that would ban all handguns in Canada. The motion was defeated with five Senators voting against and only two in favour. Three Senators on the committee abstained.
“There is no doubt that this was a backdoor plan by the Trudeau government to attempt to ban handguns, and we are pleased that Senators saw through it and defeated the motion outright by a significant vote” said Sheldon Clare, president of Canada’s National Firearms Association – the largest and most effective pro-firearms organization in Canada. “This should be a clear sign to this government, and any future government, that a handgun ban is not warranted nor wanted.”
Trudeau-appointed Senators also recently attempted to rush the bill through the Senate but was blocked after the NFA raised concerns about their approach.
“They backed down on their original plan to rush this through, and then they try to backdoor a handgun ban.” Added Clare. “It’s incredible how these people operate in such a sneaky and conniving way.”
The NFA has led the fight against Bill C-71 that if passed would bring in a new firearms registry, unnecessarily prohibit several safe and widely used firearms, limit sales on firearms at gunshows and outdoor shows, unnecessarily increase background checks, transfer data from the defunct federal long-gun registry to the provinces to allow the creation of their own long-gun registries, and prohibit already-licensed owners from transporting firearms without additional paperwork each time they wish to do so, among other things.

Researching the ‘Secret Lives of Salmon’ in the High Seas

By on March 5, 2019 in Conservation

On February 16, with major funding from the Pacific Salmon Foundation, 21 scientists from five Pacific Rim countries embarked on an expedition to the Gulf of Alaska to study the ‘secret lives of salmon’ on the high seas. They are testing the prevailing hypothesis that the abundance of salmon is mostly determined by the end of their first winter in the open ocean. We have partnered with Randy Shore from the Vancouver Sun and Stu McNish from Conversations that Matter to bring you video and editorial coverage of the voyage.  Click through below to get caught up, and tune into our website and social media channels (Facebook, Twitter and Instagram) for ongoing updates until the voyage returns on March 18.

READ VANCOUVER SUN
ARTICLES

February 15: The Secret Lives of Salmon: B.C.-led international expedition to probe ailing Pacific stocks

February 19:  The Secret Lives of Salmon: Scientists run test fishery before heading to open ocean

February 26:  The Secret Lives of Salmon: There’s more than one kind of fish in the sea

March 1: The Secret Lives of Salmon: Groundbreaking genetic tests completed at sea

Court Decision re your right to access lakes and streams.

By on February 21, 2019 in Uncategorized

On Dec.8, 2018 I posted an article on the club website announcing that the Nicola Valley Fish & Game Club had won a precedent setting ruling in its case against the Douglas Lake Cattle Company. BC Supreme Court Chief Justice Joel Grove rendered his decision that the public should be able to access fishing lakes near Merritt, BC.

The decision is being received as a declaration affirming public rights to access water bodies at a time when private interests are rapidly closing them off.

Despite this there has been very little press coverage and you hardly ever hear anyone in the outdoor recreation community discussing it.

On Jan. 16, 2018 Emily Senger published an article in MACLEANS which provides a good overview of what happened in this case and where it may lead in the future.

To read the full article CLICK HERE.

Department of Fisheries approach for developing fisheries management actions to address conservation concerns for Fraser River Chinook in 2019

By on February 19, 2019 in Conservation

On February 5, the DFO released a letter designed to “communicate the Department’s approach for developing fisheries management actions to address conservation concerns for Fraser River Chinook in 2019.”

The 17-page document identifies “conservation concerns” and is focused on the 2019 Fraser River Chinook.

Page 7 of the document, “Table 3: Summary Table of proposed management actions for Scenario A and B,” discusses actions including non-retention of Chinook over the 2019 season.

Jeff Grout, the Regional Resource Manager of Salmon (and author of the letter) suggests that “If you wish to provide feedback, please do so in writing, by March 1, 2019 to the DFO Pacific Salmon Management Team at DFO.PacificSalmonRMT-EGRSaumonduPacifique.MPO@dfo-mpo.gc.ca. Feedback received will be summarized by the Department and any recommendations on harvest planning will be provided to First Nations and the Departments advisory committees, including the Sport Fishing Advisory Board (SFAB), Commercial Salmon Advisory Board (SFAB), Marine Conservation Caucus (MCC) and Integrated Harvest Planning Committee (IHPC) for further consideration. “

The full document can be downloaded here, and be advised—the window to respond in writing to these proposed management actions closes March 1, 2019.

All club facilities reopen after heavy snowfall.

By on February 11, 2019 in Ranges

The club was closed for several days after the record heavy snowfall in the Mid Island area.
There is more than two feet of snow on the ground but after several days of plowing the access road to the club is clear. The parking lot is also clear but all the ranges are still covered with the two plus feet so it may be a challenge to use them.
The club is reopened for now but we are keeping an eye on the weather forecasts. Depending on which channel you watch we are going to have more snow – the only question is how much more.
We will try to keep the website updated but if in doubt call the club before driving down.

Archery Meeting

By on January 3, 2019 in Archery

With the dismantling of the old email program we lost the archery division membership list (some 120 members) we NEED your help to build this list up again.
Anyone interested in identifying or wishing to receive Archery Division specific information and emails please CLICK HERE
Please provide your Email Address, as well as, your First and Last Name to aid in re-establishing our divisional list. Also please let us know if you plan to attend the meeting.
What do you as members want from the archery division? Your input is important to ensure the Archery Division is meeting the needs of all our members. Please come out and join in the conversation.
Please join us at our first Archery Meeting of the 2019 year on Thursday January 17, 2019 held in the ready room at the Nanaimo Fish and Game Club. This meeting is a Meet and Greet, as well as, discussions with regards to the upcoming Archery season.
For a copy of the itinerary please CLICK HERE

Anglers win Supreme Court battle against U.S. billionaire over access to lakes, roads

By on December 8, 2018 in Access

Michelle Ghoussoub · CBC News · Posted: Dec 07, 2018 2:42 PM PT

A precedent-setting B.C. Supreme Court decision has ruled that the public should be able to access fishing lakes near Merritt, B.C., after years of what has been described as a “David and Goliath” legal battle.
For years, the Douglas Lake Cattle Company (DLCC), the largest working ranch in Canada, owned by U.S. billionaire Stan Kroenke, and a group of determined anglers have been going head to head.
Their dispute centred primarily on access to two fishing lakes and a road.
Minnie Lake and Stoney Lake are surrounded by land owned by the large ranch, which claimed the access roads, water bodies and fish in them are private property.
Members of the Nicola Valley Fish and Game club argued the lakes and roadway are Crown land and should be free for anyone to use.
In a lengthy decision released Friday, which cited historical documents, photos, and testimony from members of the Indigenous community, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves determined that both lakes are public.
“It would be nonsensical for a government to retain the rights to a lake if, by virtue of a single owner purchasing all the land surrounding a lake, that owner could prohibit public use or ownership of the lake,” wrote Groves.
“It only makes sense that government would have retained the ownership of bodies of water, lakes, with the intention of the public being allowed to access water they retained.” Continue Reading →

Westwood Lake Fishing Float Refurbishment.

By on October 29, 2018 in News

In the spring, the Nanaimo Fish and Game was contacted by Jean Chandler with regards to refurbishing the fishing float at Westwood Lake. The lake was a favourite spot of Mrs. Chandler’s son, who had passed away a few years earlier, and her thought was to provide partial funding to restore the float to its former glory in his memory.  The Fish and Game had originally built the float over two decades ago for donation to the City and the enjoyment of the residents of Nanaimo and, as such, was more than happy to take on the project.  Initial measurements were taken with the help of Steve Corscadden and, after some discussion, it was decided to replace the decking, benches and ramp with yellow cedar and pressure treated plywood with Duradek (donated by Greg Stevens) covering.  On October 27th and 28th, John Noble, Ron and Mark Tuson, Doug Miller and myself put in roughly fifty hours of work and completed the project Sunday afternoon (wow 20’ 2”x8” boards are a lot heavier than they look!).  Mrs. Chandler and her son Joel also pitched in and helped with site clean up, which was very much appreciated.  Fortunately, the weather cooperated for the better part of both days and the crew got away with only a moderate soaking.  With the restoration of the float complete, all those who enjoy Westwood Lake will have an excellent spot to take in the views and do a little fishing for decades to come.

Article and photos by Chris McFarlane

Dear Nanaimo Fish and Game Protective Association members,

 I would like to express my gratitude to your club and in particular to your volunteers: Chris McFarlane, John Noble, Ron Tuson, Mark Tuson, Doug Miller and others who participated in planning the fishing wharf replacement at Westwood Lake.
 My son, Luke Chandler passed away February 27, 2017 when his canoe flipped in the icy waters. He succumbed to the cold and was unable to right the canoe, jump back in, and return to shore. Although people on shore called for help, he drowned before there was help available to him. This accident was in the waters visible from the fishing wharf. This wharf is the place that I, my family, and many of Luke’s friends go to remember Luke.
I contacted Chris who asked the executive if the club would be willing to split the cost of refurbishing the wharf with me. I proposed that I would replace the NFGPA plaque with one to match a memorial plaque for Luke. With Chris and the executive’s support, the club agreed to this plan. Chris worked with the city of Nanaimo and with other volunteers to determine the condition of the existing wharf parts and to develop a list of material requirements for the refurbishment.
On the weekend of October 27 and 28, your club volunteers spent their weekend time taking off the old, replacing the new, and installing the plaques. By the way, please note that this was the weekend of rain that the news media shared so many pictures of floods across BC and the lower mainland. When I asked if an umbrella would help, the hardy NFGPA guys replied that it is only water. (What is water amid slime and sawdust anyway?)
I’ve shared the plaque location and pictures with many of Luke’s friends and with family. Feedback has been tremendous. People noticed how new it looks without my telling them about the funding and work from your club. There is a Facebook site for memories of Luke that people continue to share thoughts and memories of Luke. I’ll be putting a link on it to your website so that Luke’s friends and family can see Chris McFarlane’s write up on the NFGPA home page about the work on the dock.

 Jean Chandler

 

Have your say: The Canadian government opens its public consultation on banning handguns and semi-auto rifles.

By on October 11, 2018 in Firearms

Prime Minister Trudeau has asked the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of Border Security and Organized Crime Reduction, to lead an examination of a ban on handguns and “assault weapons” in Canada, while not impeding the lawful use of firearms by Canadians.
The Government of Canada says they would like to hear your views.
This is your chance to have your say directly to the government. Consultations are available from October 11 to November 10, 2018. Please do this right away.
To make your voice heard, go to:

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/policing/police/crime-and-crime-prevention/reducing-violent-crime-dialogue-handguns-assault-weapons.html

 

Moose Hunting Regulations for the North Part of the Skeena Region.

By on September 30, 2018 in Hunting

The following was just received from the Senior Wildlife Biologist of the Skeena Region:

CLICK HERE to see a brochure that was developed to help hunters interpret the moose hunting regulations for the north part of the Skeena Region. It was designed to be printed and folded into a 3-sided brochure. The summary of the northern moose regulations on page 71 of Hunting and Trapping Synopsis covers the new regulations, however this brochure is more comprehensive.
The brochure will also be posted online in the next few days.
More detailed maps of new antler restricted areas can be found here in the Skeena tab:

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/sports-culture/recreation/fishing-hunting/hunting/regulations-synopsis#maps