Recognizing our Western and Frontier Heritage

By Damien Kurek
Battle River-Crowfoot MP

In the last couple of weeks, Ottawa has been busy, not only with a new session, but a new parliament. The Conservative team has welcomed 44 new Members, making our team the largest Official Opposition in Canadian history and are showing a strong start in the House of Commons. And while I am stepping aside temporarily to trigger a by-election, Danielle and I will still work to ensure that rural roots are recognized across Canada.

Last Parliament, I was proud to introduce a Private Member’s Bill, An Act to recognize a national livestock brand as a symbol of Canada and of western and frontier heritage. The Bill has been tabled and will be known this Parliament as Bill C-208.  One of my new colleagues and long-time friend, Steven Bonk, the Member of Parliament for Souris—Moose Mountain, Saskatchewan, has agreed to take this on in my stead.

There is increasingly a disconnect from our past, and society seems to take our food production, our heritage, and our unity for granted. This has left our agricultural and ranching sectors behind, isolated and less understood. Not only is this harmful to these sectors’ success, but it ignores the importance this heritage played in building communities and their economies. Liberal policies have contributed to this disconnect.

The proposed national livestock brand (pictured here) to be included on Canada’s list of national symbols, which includes the maple leaf, hockey and lacrosse, and the Canadian tartan. Recognizing this brand as a national symbol would be a permanent salute to the role Western and frontier heritage have played in shaping Canada.

As fifth-generation Canadian rancher, this Bill is personal to Steven Bonk and those he represents. In his statement to the House this week, he said, “For those of us who have lived the ranching life, a livestock brand is more than a practical tool; it is a legacy. It tells a story. It represents families who rose before dawn, worked through storms and endured hardships of the land with quiet determination and unwavering faith….  In doing this, we honour the immense contributions of ranchers, farmers and indigenous peoples, and we affirm the enduring significance of our western and frontier heritage in shaping the Canadian identity. This symbol is a quiet but powerful reminder of who we are: resilient, rooted and proud.”

Canada’s hard-working agriculture and ranching sectors have long been the backbone of our economy. While they are simple images, brands often have a distinct meaning for a family, farm, or community. And ‘brandings’ remain significant social events in rural communities to this day. Ranchers and farmers work long hours to ensure Canadians, and the entire world, do not go hungry. For generations this sector has re-invested in their communities and provided good, local jobs. These contributions should not and cannot go unnoticed, and like a family brand, a national brand is meant to symbolize legacy, history, and hope of the future.   

It's an honour to advocate for this Bill, which will recognize the work of so many in Battle River—Crowfoot and across Canada. I am grateful to MP Bonk, seconder MP Michael Chong, and the whole Conservative team who will continue the good work and keep advocating for farmers and ranchers. I call on all MPs in Parliament to pass this important Bill, as this symbol will help bring our nation together.