The province must live up to its promises made to local outfitters and other family-run operations in Northern B.C.
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 as the party of progress, focused on building strong communities, addressing affordability and supporting small businesses. But for many rural businesses, particularly the guide outfitters of Northern B.C., these promises feel disconnected from the reality they are facing.
Guide outfitters have been vital to British Columbia’s backcountry for generations. These small, often family-run businesses provide guided hunting trips and backcountry experiences, maintain infrastructure in remote areas and foster a deep connection to the natural environment. Many outfitters have invested heavily in their operations, building their livelihoods based on permits and licenses issued by the provincial government. They are not just hunting guides; they are stewards of the land, helping to preserve access to B.C.’s wilderness while supporting tourism and local economies.
But in 2022, the government made a sudden and drastic change to the regulations governing these businesses. Without warning, long-standing policies that had governed the guide outfitting industry for decades were overturned, upending the businesses that had relied on these frameworks to operate sustainably. These changes had severe financial consequences for outfitters, especially those in the Peace Region, where caribou hunting was closed and moose harvests were drastically reduced. This decision blindsided outfitters who had built their livelihoods based on the expectations set by their long-held permits.
At the time, the government acknowledged the significant impact these changes would have on the guide outfitters. Ministers made promises to provide compensation for the financial losses caused by these policy shifts and committed to reviewing the situation within a year. However, despite these assurances, outfitters have been left waiting. The compensation has not materialized, and the promised review of the regulations has yet to take place. For many of these small businesses, the lack of action from the government is not just disappointing—it’s devastating.
The guide outfitters, some of whom have been operating for generations, are now at a breaking point. Many have seen their businesses severely weakened or pushed to the brink of closure. These are businesses that provide jobs, maintain vital infrastructure, and contribute to the local economies of rural B.C.. The government’s failure to follow through on its promises is not just a financial issue—it’s a breach of trust between these communities and their elected leaders.
As British Columbians prepare to vote, they should carefully consider whether the government has truly lived up to its promises.
Eby’s campaign talks about building stronger communities, but the experience of the guide outfitting industry tells a different story. The government knew the 2022 changes would cause severe harm, yet it has done little to address the fallout. The promises of compensation and a fair review process have gone unfulfilled, leaving rural businesses to bear the burden.
This election offers voters a chance to ask whether their leaders are truly delivering on their commitments. The guide outfitters’ struggle is a clear example of how words without action can undermine entire communities. Voters should demand accountability from government and ensure that promises made are promises kept.
Scott Ellis is CEO of the Guide Outfitters Association of BC.
