Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Robert Sopuck, a former member of Parliament for Dauphin—Swan River—Neepawa, but more importantly, my friend and mentor.
I had already been here four years when Bob showed up. He caught my attention immediately with his keen interest in all matters of hunting, fishing, trapping and the outdoor way of life, and we became fast friends. It was not long before we were organizing the Conservative hunting and angling caucus, wild fish and game potluck meals, and fishing on the Ottawa River on June evenings.
Bob was a fighter. He vigorously defended hunting, farming, ranching and common-sense conservation. He pushed for the recreational fisheries conservation partnerships program, which has left a lasting legacy of fisheries enhancement across Canada. He fought for us, so much so that he was named 2017 International Legislator of the Year by Safari Club International, just one of his many accolades.
I will miss Bob. I will miss the daily text messages, phone calls, emails and words of encouragement. I am sad that the trips we had planned will be left unfinished, but I will revel in the memories of the ones we took.
I hope there is a trout stream where Bob is now and that his fly rod is flexing from the tug of a beauty. I say to him, rest easy, partner.