The Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF) is categorized as an animal protection charity by the Canada Revenue Agency. But just what is the CWF protecting animals from when the organization is deeply rooted in the hunting and fishing community?
In fact, the CWF comprises twelve provincial organizations, most of which have a major focus on protecting and promoting hunting and fishing. The Alberta Fish and Game Association (a CWF founding member) states “Our passion is to promote…the conservation and utilization of fish and wildlife…” The Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters advocates for “the protection of our hunting traditions” and offers such goodies as a ‘buck fillet knife’ and “hunting Christmas ornaments.”
The Newfoundland and Labrador Wildlife Federation states in its bylaws that “The purpose of the Federation shall be to promote, foster and protect the interests of the sportsmen of this province.” The B.C. Wildlife Federation states it is ‘a province-wide voluntary conservation organization of hunters, anglers and recreational shooters..”.
Even CWF president Dave Powell has served as vice-chairman of an organization called the Hunting for Tomorrow Foundation and is past-president of the aforementioned Alberta Fish and Game Association.
But unsuspecting animal lovers visiting the CWF website would find it difficult to make this connection to the hunting community. The website screams warm and fuzzy with wildlife photo contests and other motherhood-and-apple-pie activities. Rather than camouflage clothing and floating gun cases, their shopping section offers opportunities to adopt animals, including black bears and beluga whales, and Robert Bateman tote bags. Conservation is the operative word. But the question arises; for what purpose?
The only reference to the affiliates and their primary purpose is found in an obscure part of the website featuring Annual Reports. And unless one follows the links to these websites, there is no way to know that the conservation effort is about preserving animals so that they can continue to be hunted. It’s ironic that a donor can adopt a black bear, which is one of the animals hunted by the many ‘sportsmen’ who are behind the CWF and its affiliates. Most animal lovers would find this repugnant and feel duped to know that their donations were being used in this fashion.
This is not to say that the organization and its affiliates have not contributed significantly to the conservation of wildlife. However, the public, and most especially donors, have a right to know the policies of the organization they are supporting. It should be clearly stated in their written materials and on their website that they support hunting, fishing and trapping – in their words, the ‘wise use’ of wildlife.
9 replies on “The truth behind the Canadian Wildlife Federation”
Wow!!!! I honestly did not have a clue, and I’ve been a donor/member for several years now!!
Yes, I DO feel duped!!!! And heart broken. Cause now I have to wonder if any of my money became a part of hunting and killing.
I’m very sad now. And disillusioned.
Thank you VHS!!! As of this minute, they will NEVER get another dime from me!! And I was JUST about to send another cheque!!
I’ll just use that money to donate to the Ottawa Humane Society. I’m sure they could use it!
The CWF helps the wildlife by regulating the amount of animals hunted in certain areas. Wild animals have been hunted for food for years and years, could you imagine what the population would do if hunting was put to a halt all together??? Not to mention with a population growth like that the amount of people that would die from accidents with the wildlife???? Or the amount of damage to crops which provide non-animal food to all of you vegitarians???? Or the amount of disese that would spread with an over population of aniamls???? it could spread to cattle, horses, dogs, cats, and eventually people! So why not support responsible hunting, fishing and trapping???
jk- Then why doesn’t the CWF make these arguments on its website? Instead it hides its connection to hunting. If there’s nothing wrong with hunting then why not come out and say so. The point of the post is to alert people who oppose hunting to the misleading nature of CWF’s website and communications.
I don’t know why they don’t point this out to people, but they should, then maybe people would not be so against hunting, fishing and trapping and this wouldn’t be an issue for them. In my opinion there is nothing wrong with hunting, fishing and trapping, it is a way to feed people, and maintain a healthy population of wild life instead of over populated sick animals. I think it was about two years ago that there was such an over population of white tail deer in one area, that alot of them were very sickly and alot of farmers suffered a huge hit in their crop production as a result of all the deer. This affected their livley hood emensley.
Great. Now we’re getting somewhere. Thank you. Now if it’s NOT the CWF we’d contact over concern of the upcoming slaughter of thousands of wolves in Alberta, and other parts of Canada, who is it???!!! And would you please, like you did with THIS post, create another one to bring awareness to Canadian citizens who might otherwise not be aware of it…… before it’s too late.
Who is protecting the Caribou???
I’ve known about this for several years now. I find the CWF dishonest in their approach to raise funds…if what they represent is so worthy why not be up front. Very few hunters are the “real” thing…most just have a thirst for killing and this is the legal way to carry out their fantasies. For people with a conscience who want to donate there are many other great charitable organizations that need help.
What’s the big deal? they have hunters on their board. Big deal. Lots of people in Canada hunt.
Very disappointed; however, not shocked considering the government loves to make money. I know people have rights but I feel like the people who rely on animals as a food and other survival resource is in so many ways a lot better than recreational hunters. Because those who hunt for survival will actually care for them to make sure that they will not dwindle the population. While those who do it for fun, well I’m not sure what to say but really? Killing an animal not for survival reason is fun and exciting to you? Cause that’s sick.