NEWS &
VIEWS
Here we are, rolling into the fall – typically the most exciting and anticipated time of our year here in British Columbia – and the international borders remain closed. Despite our grandest efforts, it is most likely that they will stay this way for the rest of this incredible year. The past five months have been a blur. The GOABC has been working tirelessly on the ever-expanding COVID-19 file since mid-March. The wins have been few and far between, but we take them where we can get them! We were proud to be one of the first sectors in BC to deliver on the Minister of Tourism’s request for an industry Best Practices document. This comprehensive document has been circulated throughout all levels of provincial and national government, receiving high praise. Even more important – BC outfitters are eager to demonstrate their ability to deliver on their enhanced protocols. Our businesses can operate under these conditions while still delivering the safe and quality experiences that British Columbia is known for. The fly in the ointment – clients being able to pass through the border and complete their 14-day self-quarantine as mandated by Canada’s Quarantine Act. As British Columbians, we are proud of the collective good work done by residents to “flatten the curve” and keep our province safe. We look forward to the day when the threat of COVID-19 has passed, and the international borders can be softened. Hunters know firsthand that the outfitting industry is unique in that most activities take place in wilderness isolation by design, with no contact with nearby Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities. Therefore, the remoteness of guide outfitting operations provides the ideal opportunity to gradually introduce international tourism back into our province, when safe to do so. We support the Alternative Self-Isolation Plan approved by the Yukon government in late July where clients can selfisolate for 14-days while simultaneously participating in the activity they came to do (fish or hunt). We have lobbied the Province to approve the same plan here. Obviously, this would be done safely and in a manner that conforms to all orders and guidelines of the Provincial Health Officer and WorkSafeBC. We have stressed to government that without some flexibility where travelers can isolate, and some alleviation to the border closure, more emphasis will need to be on Federal and Provincial aid. The outfitting sector requires support in order
Scott Ellis, Executive Director, GOABC
to survive and recover from the current situation. We have received encouraging signals from government on our allocation and waiving-of-fees asks and are looking forward to continued meaningful engagement with government. Families all throughout rural British Columbia are relying upon government’s support – and collaborative dealings with their clients. As a sector, we have been very proactive in going to government with well-formulated solutions and have worked hard to prepare our operations. We will continue to do so until these COVID days are behind us.
Straight shooting and safe travels. MOUNTAIN HUNTER - FALL 2020 |
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