Guide outfitter industry prioritized over the needs of BC hunters
Media Statement: December 15, 2014
Guide outfitter industry prioritized over the needs of BC hunters
For immediate release
Victoria, B.C. –The Government of British Columbia’s recent decision to prioritize the guide outfitting industry over the interests of resident British Columbia hunters is directly contrary to the public interest says Andrew Weaver, MLA for Oak Bay-Gordon Head and Deputy Leader of the BC Green Party.
On December 10th, 2014 the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations released his decision concerning how hunting licenses would be allocated between industry and British Columbians.
Contrary to the established Wildlife Allocation Policy, and the consultation process that developed it, this new decision allocated a massive increase in the proportion of licenses available to industry. This means that BC hunters, many of whom hunt for sustenance, may go without licenses this year.
“What we are seeing is the needs of industry being placed ahead of the needs of British Columbia residents,” said Andrew Weaver. “Last spring we had legislation passed that allowed guide outfitting operations to be owned by a foreign corporations, and now the government is supporting this industry on the backs of British Columbians.”
In February 2013, the government introduced the Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Statutes Amendment Act, 2014, which overhauled guide outfitting in BC. Importantly, it removed the requirement that a guide outfit can only be owned by a citizen of British Columbia, opening up the possibly that guide outfitters are owned and operated by corporations from other countries.
Since the legislation passed, government has maintained a focus on advancing the interests of this industry without mention of how it will affect BC hunters. In his June 2014 mandate letter, the Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations was directed to “continue to work with BC Guides and Outfitters and other back country operators to ensure continued access and business certainty to Crown land and provide economic and tourism opportunities in rural British Columbia.”
“There are over 100,000 British Columbia residents who hunt each year, a number that has been growing over time,” said Andrew Weaver. “This government needs to halt their current approach to wildlife management and ensure that it is British Columbians who benefit from their policies.”
“I fail to see why they are advancing the interests of this industry ahead of the interests of British Columbians,” said Andrew Weaver.
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Media Contact
Mat Wright – Press Secretary, Andrew Weaver MLA
Mat.Wright@leg.bc.ca
Cell: 1 250 216 3382
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11 Comments
The most infuriating aspect of this policy is that the percentages given to guides is so incredibly high. The industry standard across North America is 5-10%. We as hunters recognize that we have one of the best hunting locations in the world and are willing to concede to allow the guides 10% of allowable harvest (we could demand less!). That’s in line with the highest percentage given to any guiding industry in North America! I believe we are being very reasonable. This policy is completely unfair for the residents of BC!
For all interested parties, here is a ‘backgrounder’ issued by the Guide Outfitters Association of British Columbia, regarding the Harvest Allocation Policy
http://www.goabc.org/news/news_detail.aspx?Id=58
I believe that the resident hunters of BC need to fight for our hunting heritage in our beautiful province. The allocations are a Joke. it is becoming increasingly harder and harder to obtain a limited entry hunting permit, and now we are being told basically, too bad for you residents we are going to take your draws and give them to the GOABC to the tune of 40% of the Goat, Sheep and Bear draws and 25% of the Moose and Elk draws. We need to band together and say NO….. We need to file an injunction to stop this before the draws come out this year.
this is complete BS, there already limiting the amount of animals being able to be harvested and now they go and do this, eventually you’ll have to buy into a guided operation if you actually want to go get an animal in certain areas
Liberals continue to sell BC off. What will be left for future generations. BC is not for sale. Thank you for your support Andrew.
So when these corporations and companies from other countries buy our hunting territories they probably also bring in hunters that don’t have to pay.
I’ve lived in B.C. My whole life, I work, I pay taxes, I buy a hunting license and tags each year. A portion of my, and everyone else who buys them, license and tags goes to benefit the animals and the lands they inhabit. Now what, if they decide to issue fewer licenses, tags and limited entries I guess it’s less money to protect what’s rightfully ours.
This is why Andrew Weaver was elected …….. to speak up for the majority of his riding …………OK I have to declare I am a member of the Victoria Fish and Game Protection Society and have recently started hunting……..and that is for Happy Meat…not Trophy Game.
If only we had more MLA likes Andrew.
Thanks
PAul Elworthy
I have sent generic letters to all MLA’s in BC condemning this Discraceful action against BC’s resident hunters. I have received replys from 3 And only one has shown concern. Thank you Andrew Weaver. Two others have only responded by asking what region I was from….. As if I wouldn’t know this is procedure for passing the buck to someone else instead of addressing the concern of a provincial resident about a provincial matter, not a regional matter.
This is absolute BS, as a hunter I live of the land and depend on getting animals to feed myself and family. The last thing BC needs to be doing is letting some foriegner come in and own a guiding outfit so that they can bring all they’re scummy friends up here to trophy hunt for animals.
As long as ANYONE kills any animal for a trophy or just for the thrill of the kill, I am definitely NOT in agreement!
If a hunter needs to kill an animal to feed the family that should be allowed in my opinion.
The liberal government of Super Natural British Columbia only cares about one thing and that’s raping and pillaging our amazing province for their own ill gotten gain.
this is absolute BS but typical of this current Liberal Gov’t. They are destroying this beautiful province and selling everything off to foreign owners. They must be stopped.