The bill to end Canada's long-gun registry introduced to Parliament last week is likely to be a significant milestone in the political career of Yorkton-Melville MP Garry Breitkreuz.
Opposition to the registry-a much-reviled piece of legislation among rural gun owners-has been virtually synonymous with Breitkreuz's name since his entrance into federal politics in 1993.
Several failed attempts have been made by the Conservative Party to abolish the registry over the years, but with the power of a majority government behind it, the new Ending the Long-Gun Registry Act is almost guaranteed passage.
"For me, it's like payday after almost 18 years of work. I am pleased. It's a very good bill, and it's a really good step in the right direction for us," Breitkreuz says.
The party has restricted debate in the House of Commons on the new bill, and Breitkreuz anticipates it passing before Christmas.
"I appreciate the patience that gun owners have had over the years with this. It's been a long battle, but it's payday for them as well," he adds.
The MP denies any suggestion that he is a single-issue politician, assuring constituents that he has always had plenty of other projects to keep busy with in Ottawa.
"I haven't just focused on this issue. I think it's absorbed maybe 10 to 15 percent of my time.
Gun rights and related topics will continue to be a priority for Breitkreuz, he says.
"There are issues related to this-I have started something called the Outdoors Caucus as a logical follow-up to this."
The cross-party caucus has as its mandate the defense of "traditional heritage activities" such as fishing, hunting, and trapping, which Breitkreuz believes are "under attack by the international environmental community."
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