“The GOABC applauds this government’s commitment to work with businesses and recognize good ideas coming from many sources. The need is great, and the need is now.” GOABC President Sean Olmstead
Vancouver, BC – The Guide Outfitters Association of BC (GOABC) offers the Province of BC a plan to jumpstart the BC economy and provide much needed support to the guide outfitting industry. The GOABC’s $5.6 million dollar Range Stewardship Program (RSP) proposes to create 250 short term jobs and protect 125 small rural tourism businesses.
The COVID-19 pandemic has dealt a massive blow to the guide outfitting industry. As a sector that relies primarily on international travelers, a full year of income and employment has been lost. Now, on December 2nd, Prime Minister Trudeau indicated that restrictions at the border will last well into
2021, threating a second spring season.
As a part of BC’s $1.6 billion Economic Recovery Plan, our Range Stewardship Program undertakes to create 250 jobs in rural and Indigenous communities to protect and steward the backcountry of BC. Through this program, at least 125 small family businesses will receive much-needed financial support while providing employment and important benefits to the province as a whole – all while aligning with the CleanBC program.
The RSP leverages the skills, knowledge, and infrastructure of the guide outfitting industry to protect the backcountry, steward wildlife, and implement COVID-19 protocols. By contracting guide outfitters across the province to hire and supervise 250 employees, participants of the program will
receive insured earnings and qualify for Employment Insurance benefits and programs.
“The GOABC applauds this government’s commitment to work with businesses and recognize good ideas coming from many sources,” says GOABC President Sean Olmstead. “The need is great, and the need is now.”
The GOABC Range Stewardship Program provides government an immediate turn-key program to put boots on the ground and money into people’s pockets. Working together, we can move through this crisis to a stronger BC and healthy economy.
For more information, contact Scott Ellis at (604) 541-6332.
Please download press release below.
