BCWF letter to the minister

[bridger]

here is a letter the bcwf wildlife committee chair sent to the minister a few days ago which is self explanatory


BC WILDLIFE FEDERATION

Unit 101 – 3060 Norland Avenue
Burnaby, BC V5B 3A6
Telephone: 604-291-9990 Fax: 604-291-9933
Toll Free: 1-888-881 BCWF (2293)
officeinfo@bcwf.bc.ca www.bcwf.bc.ca (http://www.bcwf.bc.ca)
Minister Steve Thomson
Ministry of Natural Resources Operations
Room 027
Parliament Buildings
Victoria, BC V8V 1X4
March 8, 2011


Dear Minister Thomson,
Re: Provincial Wildlife Allocation Policy Review

The BC Wildlife Federation (BCWF) would like to express concern in regards to the contract issued by the Ministry of Natural Resource Operations to review the impact of the Provincial Wildlife Allocation Policy on guide-outfitters.

It is disheartening this contract was issued when multiple assurances that the policy would be implemented in 2012 were given by both Minister Barry Penner and the Deputy Minister of Environment.

Attached is a copy of a letter to the President of the BCWF received last year confirming the policy would be implemented in its entirety, after it was committed to by the Minister at the BCWF Annual General Meeting in Prince George.

The Provincial Wildlife Allocation Policy was developed over three years of negotiations, and was eventually agreed to by the GOABC, BCWF, and BC Trappers Assn. The policy consists of 8 supporting documents in addition to the Harvest Allocation Policy.

According to the terms of reference all the documents except the Harvest Allocation Policy document are subject to review. This is equivalent to a full-fledged review and/or overhaul of the policies and
procedures that took 3 years of negotiation to develop, 4 years to implement, and expected to be completed in a mere 6 weeks time period. These are policies and procedures that were agreed to by all parties.

The BCWF would like to point out again, that under the new Provincial Wildlife Allocation Policy guide-outfitters in BC enjoy the best allocation of wildlife compared to almost all jurisdictions across North America.

Also, BC has had one of the greatest declines in resident hunters in North America. Part of that decline can be correlated to regulations and harvest strategies which favour guide-outfitters and the increased share of wildlife given to guide-outfitters in BC over the last 30 years.

The BCWF has been supportive of the Ministry and policy since it was introduced, even though there were items which were disregarded from the onset and decisions that are contrary to policy analysis that have benefited guide-outfitters. The BCWF did not make an issue of what it
felt were weaknesses in the policy and continued to support government. Immediately after the policy was signed there were attempts by GOABC to undermine the policy and slow reaction, adoption and in some cases blatant disregard by government representatives.
It appears government has reacted to the commercial sector and has left resident hunters of British Columbia in the lurch.

The BCWF looks to full implementation of the current allocation policy in 2012 as committed to by the provincial government. The BCWF sees the contract as wasteful spending, particularly in times when resources are so few that adequate funding is not available for basic wildlife inventory.

The BCWF expects government to honour its commitment and follow its own policy.

Yours Truly


Chairman, Wildlife Committee, BC Wildlife Federation
CC: Jody Shimkus ADM,
Doug Konkin Ministry Of Environment Assistant Deputy Minister,
Tom Ethier Director Fish And Wildlife Branch


[Devilbear]

That, is an outstanding letter and it presents our position with respect to the GOABC and the current provincial administration as clearly and honestly as possible. I wish that every hunter/sngler in BC would write such a letter to our elected representives and with copies to the same civil servants.

[Fisher-Dude]

Here's the letter that the above refers to.



http://i37.photobucket.com/albums/e70/Fisher-Dude/scan073110-1-1.jpg

[willy442]

Let the tears flow among the weak hearted. Everyone else will continue to hunt with success.:)

[Deaddog]

spending gov't money aside for the review, looks like the allocation policy will proceed as agreed upon

[CanuckShooter]

Nice pretty letters, they get files and most never see them...it's time for some action!! How about a little protest outside the ministers office? Get some media attention.....

The BCWF should consider contracting someone with some media savvy to garner some public support via the media.....and affirmative action campaigns.....

[Devilbear]

One would certainly hope so and the expenditure of scarce management funds for a contract of this sort is both foolish and counter-productive in terms of the agreed-upon allocation process endorsed by all stakeholders and decided by government.

This, leads me to believe that the never-ending wailing and moaning from the GOABC. concerning their supposed "right" to ANY share of BC's game may still be having far too great an effect upon determination and implementation of government policy. So, perhaps our good buddy, the inimitable Willy is right, we have been far too ...weakhearted... in our courteous, rational approach to this entire problem.

It is, IMO, long past time that we became FAR more aggressive in our efforts and techniques where protecting OUR interests is concerned. We need to emulate the indians and environmentalists and begin blockades and deliberate information campaigns to prevent the GOABC members from taking their foreign clients into the BC gamefields to kill OUR wildlife.

Hit them in the wallets and see what happens!

[CanuckShooter]

One would certainly hope so and the expenditure of scarce management funds for a contract of this sort is both foolish and counter-productive in terms of the agreed-upon allocation process endorsed by all stakeholders and decided by government.

This, leads me to believe that the never-ending wailing and moaning from the GOABC. concerning their supposed "right" to ANY share of BC's game may still be having far too great an effect upon determination and implementation of government policy. So, perhaps our good buddy, the inimitable Willy is right, we have been far too ...weakhearted... in our courteous, rational approach to this entire problem.

It is, IMO, long past time that we became FAR more aggressive in our efforts and techniques where protecting OUR interests is concerned. We need to emulate the indians and environmentalists and begin blockades and deliberate information campaigns to prevent the GOABC members from taking their foreign clients into the BC gamefields to kill OUR wildlife.

Hit them in the wallets and see what happens!


EXACTLY...why do you think they are going to fund a study to fund the impact of the ap on the guides....so they can have a good excuse to make amendments to protect the industry....time to quit being doormats guys.:evil:

[Fisher-Dude]

EXACTLY...why do you think they are going to fund a study to fund the impact of the ap on the guides....so they can have a good excuse to make amendments to protect the industry....time to quit being doormats guys.:evil:

What are you going to do about it? Are you active in your club? Are you volunteering to help the wildlife committee with this? Are you even a member?

[CanuckShooter]

It's time to get over the fear of being radical.....the meek may inherit the earth, but they won't influence politicians without money or bad press.....

[Whisky Creek]

Who was the person who drafted and signed this letter? It said only, "Chairman, Wildlife Committee, BC Wildlife Federation". Just out of curiosity.....