Mr. Speaker, I take great pleasure in being involved in the debate on private member's Bill C-454. The official opposition certainly supports the member for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey in his private member's Bill C-454 to have the Canadian Horse recognized and declared to be the national horse of Canada.
The unstated intent of the bill is to protect this animal from extinction. Recently, the Canadian Equestrian Federation wanted the animal placed on a stamp for very similar reasons. Similarly, the Equine Research Centre at the University of Guelph, Canada's leading veterinary school located beside the riding of the hon. member for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey, is working to ensure a future for Canada's own unique breed.
In our research, we contacted a number of people and organizations with an interest in horses. None were opposed to this bill. Comments ranged from “it is a good idea” to “why not, it won't do any harm”.
The Canadian horse was not seen as a mainline breed as were the quarter horse and the painted thoroughbred but rather as an obscure and diminishing breed which poses no threat to established breeds or commercial operations.
The Canadian horse is a unique breed in Canada. The Canadian horse celebrates its 350th anniversary in Canada this year. Nicknamed the Little Iron Horse, the Canadian is a result of natural selection and breeding to fit the uniquely Canadian climate. With only approximately 2,200 Canadian horses in existence, the breed is registered as an endangered species and is classified as vulnerable.
The first horse to gallop on Canadian soil was unloaded in Quebec on June 25, 1647. The original horse stocks were Arabs, Bretons and Anglo-Norman horses brought to Quebec from France. Over time, these horses adapted to the cold Canadian climate, becoming smaller in size and extremely hardy.
Generally the Canadian Horse is black but colours also range from bay to light chestnut. A stallion can weigh 1,050 to 1,350 pounds and the mare, 1,000 to 1,250 pounds. They are 14 to 16 hands in height. The Canadian has a well-proportioned body with especially well muscled legs. The mane and tail are thick, long and wavy. The Canadian is generally very easy to handle. The Canadian is long lived and still useful at an advanced age. The mares are extremely fertile and reproduce regularly until the age of 20 or older.
The Canadians were much loved and utilized by the early settlers because of their strength, willingness, and small food requirements. Their numbers rose quickly so that by 1850 there were approximately 150,000 Canadians. However, the importing of other breeds and exporting to the United States for use in various wars meant the horse was in danger of disappearing as a distinct breed. The number of Canadian horses had declined to under 400 in 1976.
As early as 1886 efforts had been made to increase the numbers of the Canadian breed. Efforts have continued throughout this century with the result that there are presently over 2,000 Canadians. However, with only eight bloodlines in existence today, Canadian horse breeders remain concerned about the future of this little iron horse. The Equine Research Centre is one of a number of groups working on different approaches to ensure a future for the Canadian horse for Canada.
One of the concerns of the Reform Party is that this bill might reflect unfavourably on the Newfoundland pony. Some can argue that this is a pony and not a horse and therefore this would minimize the impact.
Our other concern is that this bill can impact on the prestige of the RCMP's magnificent horses, one of which was given to the Queen this past year. We have tried to make contact with the RCMP but at this point in time we have not received a response.
We have contacted numerous people. I do not know much about horses and had to do some research to speak intelligently about the Canadian horse. We have talked to organizations and individuals like Greg Barrington, a horse trainer in Burnt River, Ontario; Alison Neill, communications co-ordinator for the Canadian Equestrian Federation; Nancy Kavanagh of the Canadian Morgan Horse Association; Pam Schroeder of Canadian Horsetrader Magazine ; Linda Santa, vice-chairman of marketing for the Manitoba Horse Council; Laurel Smith, the executive director of the Horse Council of British Columbia; the Equine Research Centre in Guelph; and Kit Wallace, the equine studies program manager at Kwantlan College in Vancouver. We have certainly done some homework.
Agriculture is certainly the backbone of my riding of Dauphin—Swan River. Horses are very numerous in my riding. They have become very popular both on the farm and recreationally over the last dozen years. The horse has contributed and continues to contribute to the economic climate of Dauphin—Swan River and continues to play a large part in the culture.
I would like to applaud the hon. member for Dufferin—Peel—Wellington—Grey for his work on this private member's bill, Bill C-454, an act to provide for the recognition of the Canadian Horse as the national horse of Canada. I close by saying that the official opposition supports this bill.