Opinion: B.C. government policies are leaving small rural businesses behind
“The province must live up to its promises made to local outfitters and other family-run operations in Northern B.C.” Scott Ellis, CEO From theORCA, publication of Glacier Media Group As the provincial election campaign ramps up, British Columbians are hearing plenty of promises from their leaders. David Eby and the BC NDP are presenting themselves […]
Opinion: Renewing our approach to natural resources can support shared economic prosperity.
“”Government has created a system of winners and losers. In short, the uncertainty created by these policies will have consequences on the prosperity and quality of life in our province. The uncertainty will drive away future investment and will devastate communities across our province.”” Submitted by the BC resource sector coalition, which includes the: B.C. […]
Grassroots Group Challenges BC’s Reconciliation Law
“We strongly support reconciliation, but people have become divided by the DRIPA, so we look forward to the court ruling and giving some certainty to everyone” said PHARA President Peter Robson. “While court is the last place we want to be, we feel this step is necessary and we are committed to it.” Pender Harbour, […]
BC Adventure Tourism Coalition is sounding the alarm over the treatment of natural resource businesses.
The BC Adventure Tourism Coalition (ATC) is sounding the alarm today over the treatment of businesses that hold land tenures. The Province of BC’s approach to reconciliation and implementation of the Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA) is failing both Indigenous and non-indigenous communities. After the recent decision by the provincial government […]
Opinion: The province’s version of reconciliation is failing B.C. communities
Land claims impacting livelihoods, fracturing rural communities. Scott Ellis. First and foremost, the Guide Outfitters Association of BC (GOABC) supports reconciliation with First Nations. Our industry is rooted in First Nations history and remains closely tied to it to this day, with more than 30 First Nations or First Nations people owning guide territories, and […]
BC still trying to help businesses ousted by Aboriginal title, says minister
“A fund was made available to the Tsilhqot’in for property acquisition … but it appears that they weren’t interested in all of the tenures.” The Honourable Murray Rankin The B.C. government still wants to find a way to compensate Chilcotin guide outfitters displaced by the Tsilhqot’in First Nation court case, says a top cabinet minister, despite problems […]
B.C. NDP refusal to compensate hunting guides sends a chilling message
Vaughn Palmer: In refusing promised compensation, NDP likely acted our of a fear of setting precedents for its secretive plans for Crown land. VICTORIA — While B.C. marked the 10th anniversary of the Tsilhqot’in Aboriginal title case this week, there was grim news for guide outfitters whose livelihoods were put at risk by the landmark […]
BC government won’t compensate business displaced by Aboriginal title
“Reconciliation should not leave people behind.” Scott Ellis While B.C. cabinet ministers and the Prime Minister celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the landmark Tsilhqot’in First Nation court case in Nemaiah Valley on Wednesday, Doug McMann was 50 kilometres away watching his guide outfitting business, and his family’s livelihood, slip away. McMann had just received devastating […]
The NDP’s treasury board rejects principled reconciliation
Principled reconciliation must be more than signatures and celebrations. It must heal communities. The NDP has failed to achieve the goal of “principled reconciliation.” As anniversary celebrations are held on Tŝilhqot’in land this week, they serve as a glaring reminder to many that the BC government has unfinished business. Download the full news release here […]
BCO: A Time for Adaptation
WE FIND OURSELVES in the connected age where the pace of progress is increasing exponentially. Social polarization is rife and, because of it, the hunting environment is changing rapidly. As hunters, we must pay attention, make smart decisions and evolve to adapt and survive. Download the article