BC NDP’s refusal to help hunting guides sends a frightening message

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VICTORIA — As British Columbia marked the 10th anniversary of the Tsilhqot’in native title case this week, there was bad news for guide organizers whose livelihoods were jeopardized by the historic decision of the court.

A group of five outfitters lost access to key hunting grounds when the Supreme Court of Canada recognized Tsilhqot’in title to vast tracts of Crown land on the Chilcotin Plateau.

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The five men have been waiting years for compensation for the loss of their provincially-granted guide titles. But last week, they learned the provincial government had rejected a compensation offer for the second time.

Doug McMann, owner of Skinner Creek Hunts, and his wife Julie received the devastating news in a phone call from a provincial official.

“I’m 55 years old and, honestly, we’re bankrupt,” McMann told Rob Shaw of online news service Northern Beat.

“We endured this situation for years and watched our savings disappear every year while the province told us they were going to help us. In the name of reconciliation, we are losing our livelihoods, our businesses and our savings. »

McMann did not contest the court’s decision or its consequences in terms of land transfer.

“I don’t want to sound like we’re blaming the First Nation, that’s absolutely not true,” he told the reporter. “The title to the land was given to them. It belongs to them. They need repairs and funding. But my goodness, my goodness, why should I lose everything I have?”

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The cost of reconciliation should be borne by all Canadians, “not just the five of us,” McMann said.

News of the refusal sparked both dismay and outrage from the Guide Outfitters Association of BC.

“Our problem is that on this path of reconciliation, the intention is good, but the implementation is terrible,” CEO Scott Ellis said. “Reconciliation is broken because there are victims in the process. There should be no expendable businesses, communities and people. »

Like McMann, he did not blame Indigenous nations for exercising vested rights in court. Instead, he pointed the finger at the province.

“Prime Minister Eby must do the right thing. These are provincial mandates and the NDP has chosen to abandon small, multi-generational family businesses. »

For McCann, the most infuriating aspect of the decision was the feeling of betrayal. He had worked with the province for years on compensation, always giving it the benefit of the doubt.

“When the government says it has a moral obligation to put things right, I really believe it. I’ve given it every chance in the world to put things right.”

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Then, after years of evaluations and negotiations, came last week’s call. Treasury Board management at the Ministry of Finance had refused compensation recommended by the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Management.

“The assistant deputy minister called me,” McMann said. “She said, ‘I don’t know what to say, we thought this was happening, I’m so sorry.'”

In response to the fallout from this affair, the New Democrats have said as little as possible.

“The province does not comment on the Treasury Board process as it is confidential,” the ministry said in a statement to Northern Beat. In a separate statement, Lands Minister Nathan Cullen downplayed the significance of the denial.

The government remains committed to “working on opportunities for Tsilhqot’in to acquire land or businesses within the declared title area on a mutual buyer and seller basis,” he said. .

“It must be recognized that the manner in which title was determined – through the courts – left many complex legal and practical questions unanswered. »

The New Democrats are also in no hurry to resolve these complex issues, not to mention that the decision was made ten years ago and they have been in power for seven years.

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The government’s refusal to discuss the issue invites speculation. And the Treasury Board’s rejection provides a strong clue as to what is going on behind the scenes.

Compensation for the five guide outfitters was estimated at a few million dollars. That amount could have easily been covered by the nearly $4 billion set aside in this year’s budget for unallocated contingencies.

It is more likely that the recommendation was rejected because of concerns about the precedent that would be set by compensating this group of claimants.

Earlier this year, Cullen was forced to abandon a bill to legislate co-management of Crown lands and resources with the province’s 200 First Nations.

New Democrats have recently expressed their desire to recognize Aboriginal title to much larger areas of Crown land than has ever been recognized by the courts.

These two initiatives should continue if David Eby’s government is re-elected. Both would have significant impacts on existing tenures on Crown land, and all of which could result in compensation claims from tenure holders.

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The New Democrats are unlikely to discuss these implications before the election.

But if they manage to continue on this path, McMann and his fellow guides and tour operators won’t be the only victims of the NDP’s secret plans for Crown lands and resources.

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