2014 NLOA President’s Report
Opening Remarks:
To begin, and prior to getting into the report, it is very important that I first express much appreciation for any
support membership have given to myself as President, the Board, and our valued office staff. I personally want
to express appreciation to those who were willing to serve our industry association this year, whether it was in
a Board Capacity, Committee Chairs, and/or Representatives. In terms of our staffing your efforts ought to be
applauded and we appreciate you working so diligently on the affairs of our association and in support of our
membership.
The Report
In respectfully writing this report and reflecting upon year 2014, the overriding theme this year in my mind, has
been “Change”.
First, within our organization we have had to say good bye to very valued staff members in our office
administrator Debbie Taylor, and our Executive Director over the last four years, Keith Payne. It is obvious we
were very sorry to lose such wonderful staff, but the transition to new very capable staff has been great, largely
due to the graciousness of both Keith and Debbie in ensuring this transition was as seamless as possible. (Please
note, I will have more to say regarding staffing further within the report).
Secondly, within government there were several ministerial changes. In actually there were four Tourism
ministers and two Environment & Conservation ministers. I’m sure government had reasons for the
unprecedented ministerial changes, yet it is not difficult to conclude this has not been helpful to an Industry
Association such as the NLOA, nor officials within government whom we strive to work closely with in advancing
our initiatives and/or raising the profile of our concerns. These changes seem to be magnified especially since
year 2013 was very chaotic, and some focus and capacity was lost within government due to budget cutbacks
and ultimately layoffs, which certainly impacted NLOA’s efforts.
Thirdly, on September 30, 2014 there was a merging of two key government departments in which the NLOA
routinely are engaged. As you probably know, the Dept. of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and the Department
of Innovation, Business and Rural Development is now the newly formed Dept. of Business, Tourism, Culture,
and Rural Development. Undoubtedly, with such a merging there are many internal things to be worked out in
terms of what is the process, who is responsible for what, and has responsibilities been changed.
I believe as members, you would agree in times of dramatic change it takes increased effort to ensure our
objectives are not stymied, stalled, nor lost, which is an ongoing concern of the Board and Staff. I must convey
that the dramatic changes over the last two years has not been helpful in advancing our fundamental initiatives
such as a Conservation Levy, License Transfer System, and the Lowering of the Youth Hunting Age. Furthermore,
changes has made it more difficult in raising the profile regarding the Natural Resources that our Industry is
dependent upon.
In looking forward, the overriding message to you our valued membership would be there are many influences
and situations we cannot control, but yet there are others we have the capability and capacity to control,
therefore, it is very important we “empower” ourselves to collectively do so. Personally, I feel it is time as
members and as an Industry Association to take control of what we can. We cannot simply rely on government
all the time. At this point you may be asking how can we “empower” ourselves, which would be a good
discussion item.
As an example, membership must collectively be engaged on issues of importance to us as an Industry, and take
time to have input in concert with the input from your Industry Association. This would certainly give more
strength in leveraging a positive outcome to our Industry issues and initiatives.
As you are well aware, the NLOA in recent years have strived hard to create a predictable and sufficient revenue
Stream for the purpose of giving us more capacity as an Industry Association to provide greater service and
value to membership. This is the reason much work has been put into trying to implement a Conservation Levy
Program. Upon selling this to membership and obtaining a high level of support, we put it in the hands of
government, which has been a very slow process indeed.
Could it be time, for membership to take control and empower ourselves to have adequate financial capabilities,
by collectively co-operating? We certainly have the ability to do so.
Members, I am sure we have all heard the saying, “there is power in numbers”, to which I am pleased to report
our membership is at historical highs with 106 members. There is amazing capacity within our membership and
organization which is largely untapped. To that end I would ask membership to give sincere thought how we
can collectively contribute to advancement of our goals.
The following is a brief outline of some of NLOA’s activity in 2014.
Three Year Marketing Plan
First, it is important that we recognize the incredible support and contribution of our funding partners to enable
the NLOA to have such a plan. In 2014, we have entered into the second year of the plan, which required more
contribution from the NLOA. This was somewhat of a concern, but with co-operation amongst partners, our
second year again has been a success.
Highlights in 2014, are things such as three more fishing shows developed through New Fly Fisher, and three
more hunting shows through Woods and Waters. Although this is the second year of the marketing plan, we
have been partnering with NFF for five years, and Woods and Waters for four years. Other items of interest is
Colin McKeown of NFF has been doing presentations at Fly Fishing Clubs, which is a cheap way to attract
customers to our destination. Additionally, both Colin and Peter Fiduccia of Woods and Waters has had a
presence at sportsman shows.In terms of Europe, there are plans in place to re-visit a show in Germany in early
2015.
New Website
As stated in earlier reports, Spark Interactive was the preferred bidder to develop NLOA’s new website. I am
extremely pleased to report the new NLOA website is up and running. The website will certainly do wonders to
improve our image and to better serve our membership, partners, sponsors etc. To date there has been very
positive feedback and to that end on behalf of the Board and I’m sure our membership we wish to express much
appreciation to Keith and Debbie (former staff) for the tremendous amount of work and diligence (patience)
throughout this process. Also, we are very grateful to our funding partners, whom has been so supportive in
this regard and other NLOA initiatives.
Business Retention and Expansion (BR&E) Project
This pilot project was a joint venture of IBRD, TCR, and NLOA. BR&E is based on an internationally recognized
economic development tool that helps identify and address barriers to survival and growth within existing
business, such as outfitting operations. BR&E’s objective is to help make businesses more competitive, by
addressing operational needs and concerns. Key areas of focus are marketing and sales, operation, finances
and accounting, human resources, management, and succession planning.
Upon soliciting participation from outfitters (17 participated), and 14 have completed. Given the professional
help and guidance offered through the program, those who participated will surely have major tools to
strengthen their operations. In terms of the NLOA, we are keen to see a report deriving common themes,
operators are facing, in our industry, which will surely help guide us in offering our members pertinent
workshops etc. Additionally we are hopeful to expand project to other operators, especially once reports and
feedback is obtained, and the merits of project are fully realized.
Labrador – Island Transmission Link Project
The Labrador-Island Transmission link project is proving to be of tremendous concern, for both our fishing
operators in Labrador and many of our inland hunting operations. As you know, this project is very extensive,
and I must add from NLOAs perspective Nalcor’s submissions in relation to potential impacts on outfitters and
mitigation measures to date has not given us high level of comfort.
Note: Some of the following information was provided in my 2013 report, but felt it would help if provided
again in a chronological format in conjunction with continued workings in 2014.
I think all members would agree there are major concerns within the outfitting industry regarding the potential
impacts this project (1100 KM transmission line) will have on the outfitting industry and the resources it depends
on. Since year 2011, the NLOA has invested much time and financial resources addressing this issue. The NLOA
initially submitted three reports on behalf of the outfitting industry. A report on the EIS treatment of the Socioeconomic impact of the project was completed by the consulting firm Outspan Group Inc., A report on the EIS
treatment of the impact of the project on caribou, moose, blk bear, and vegetation by Yolanda Wiersman, and
a report by the NLOA on the deficiencies of the EIS as it relates to the outfitting industry, by Keith Payne. In
addition to consultants being hired, there has been consultation with outfitters, government, Nalcor and Emera.
Throughout this process we have found written submissions by Nalcor to be very dismissive regarding outfitting
concerns and have down played potential impacts. In June of 2012 the NLOA provided a response to “Nalcor
Energy Labrador-Island Transmission line environmental Impact statement” (EIS). Subsequent to the original
EIS, Nalcor produced a “Labrador-Island transmission line Environmental Impact Statement addendum”.
Unfortunately the addendum did not address any of the concerns of the NLOA in its original response to the
original EIS.
Subsequently, in January 2013 the NLOA provided another response, to Nalcors addendum. Our response
clearly stated, NLOA felt it is the responsibility of the proponent to work with the outfitting industry and the
affected outfitters in order to adequately understand and quantify the potential negative economic effects of
the project. Only then can the appropriate mitigation be determined, and in cases where no mitigation was
possible, our contention was there must be adequate compensation.
On June 21st, 2013, Minister Hedderson, Minister responsible for Environment and Conservation announced
through an Environment Assessment bulletin, that the Labrador-Island transmission line project has been
released from further environment assessment, subject to some terms and conditions. Specific terms and
conditions were laid out for Emera Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nalcor Energy. We are very pleased to
report some of the conditions stated were directly tied to outfitting, or values important to outfitting. As an
example the following is one of the conditions in which the NLOA is very pleased about;
“The proponent, in consultation with the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association and Outfitters who
may potentially be impacted by the L-ITL project, will develop monitoring plan related to the potential impacts
of the Project on these outfitters. Should direct impacts be identified, the proponent shall work with the
affected outfitters and the Newfoundland and Labrador Outfitters Association to develop reasonable
compensation provisions. In areas with new project access, the proponent will also design and implement an
Access Decommissioning Plan to mitigate diminished outfitting success rates.”
We are extremely pleased the Minister has mentioned “reasonable compensation” should direct impacts be
identified, especially since government rarely is willing to talk about compensation. We would suggest outfitters
take time to familiarize themselves with the terms and condition outlaid in the Environmental Assessment
Bulletin. It is imperative, outfitters in conjunction with the NLOA work together to ensure conditions are
honored, and impacts are minimized, as the project proceeds.
The NLOA has worked diligently in recent months to ensure Nalcor honors the terms laid out by Minister
Hedderson when releasing the project from further environment assessment. An example of this is a L. ITL
Outfitter Environment effects monitoring plan (OEEMP) was to be produced a months ago, but was not received
until September when outfitters were very busy with their operations.
Subsequent to receiving the plan, we requested and received an extension to respond to OEEMP. Upon perusing
the document it was very evident Nalcor understood very little about our industry, and the monitoring plan as
presented offered very little comfort. Consequently, a special NLOA/concerned member meeting was held in
Deer Lake on November 4th, to discuss concerns and chart our next steps. Following the meeting a letter was
forwarded to Minister Darin King (Department of BTCRD) and Minister Dan Crummel, Minister of the Dept. of
Environment and Conservation seeking a meeting to discuss concerns. Furthermore, a meeting was requested
with Nalcor, that took place in St. John’s on November 17th, in which a sampling of very concern outfitters along
with your Executive Director and myself as President attended.
The meeting seem to go well, and now we await to see revisions to the OEEMP draft upon expressing our
concerns, and making concrete recommendations. On November 30th, the NLOA sent its official response to
Nalcor’s OEEMP. Hopefully, this time around the OEEMP will deliver on what was promised. Upon the recent
meeting and response to OEEMP, we are hopeful our message will begin to be sincerely heard, and appropriate
mitigation measure will be implemented in a timely manner.
Finally, the NLOA is very cognizant of the project having severe ramifications on outfitter operations, which is
why to date has put considerable time and resources into helping ensure outfitter investments, business
operations are not undermined nor put in jeopardy. To be very frank and to the point, we feel Nalcor has not
shown much to date to put us at ease. What has been done, Nalcor have been told to do, and furthermore has
been very dismissive of our concerns.
Fishing Sector
The NLOA continues to have a strong presence at pertinent forums in relation to our sports fishing sector, such
as with DFO, SCNL, aquaculture hearings etc. The Board and I’m sure membership are very appreciative toward
Tony Tuck whom has professionally represented the NLOA on sport fishing related issues for several years. In
Tony’s absence, Cory Foster attended the SCNL AGM in St. Johns on September 19-21st, in which Cory found to
be very beneficial and informative as our new Executive Director.
In recent years there are major concerns surrounding impacts on our prized sport fishing products such as our
wild Atlantic Salmon and world class Brook Trout. On the island aquaculture concerns are huge and in Labrador
mega construction projects and the development of the Trans Labrador Highway are predicted to put
tremendous pressure on the resource, due to population booms and overall increased traffic during all seasons.
The position of the NLOA is it is imperative enforcement and monitoring of resource must not only be continued,
but enhanced significantly.
In terms of aquaculture concerns, Tony put together a splendid presentation on behalf of the NLOA, and
presented on May 27th to a senate committee hearing on aquaculture, that was followed up with a CBC radio
interview, and a TC media interview and subsequent newspaper article. Members, it is evident the NLOA and
its members must collectively become even more vigilant into the future to ensure our fish resources, are
protected and secondly to enable us to continue to offer a world class sport fishing to clientele worldwide.
Big Game Resource Concerns
In this report I choose not to elaborate on big game resource concerns since they have been well documented,
therefore please do not interpret as not being of great importance to your Association. Some of our concerns
continue to be the George River Caribou Herd which is decimated from its population high, lack of legitimate
predator control program in relation to woodland caribou calf survival, and overall moose populations and
management, habitat destruction, etc. These type of issues will continue to be a large part NLOA’s advocacy
work going forward.
Caribou Recovery Committee
The final meeting of the Caribou Recovery Committee took place on May 6th, in which Wayne Holloway attended
upon soliciting input from outfitters. Wayne has been instrumental as NLOA’s representative on the committee
and has relentlessly brought forward NLOA’s input/concerns, to which we are very appreciative.
The five year study program pertaining to the woodland caribou has been completed, and the NLOA has been
anxiously asking for a strategic action plan to be implemented to help enhance calf survival rates amongst the
herds. We are hopeful something encouraging will be announced soon, and if not it is imperative our
membership in conjunction with NLOA advocate for a more reasonable response than essentially doing nothing.
SCI has been informed of our concerns, and have been solicited to help advocate for a reasonable action plan,
especially since they contributed nearly 300,000 to the study program.
It is also important to note a report has been written by COSEWIC and was to be discussed at a meeting within
the last week. As per policy COSEWIC reports are not available until they are finalized, translated, which will
still be a number of months away. However, COSEWIC has conveyed the recommendation on status, and the
reason for designation would be available to us very shortly. Furthermore, the NLOA invited COSEWIC to attend
our convention to present on the study, but could not due to conflicting commitments.
Parks Canada
On April 16, NLOA’s Chair of Parks Committee (Gudie Hutching) and myself attended a Parks Canada Forest
Health stakeholder meeting. As reported in 2013, the NLOA had a formal proposal submitted to Parks Canada
which explained how outfitters could help reduce moose population in areas of Gros Morne Park not accessible
to local hunters. All stakeholders at meeting continue to be in support of outfitters and think it is time to
incorporate outfitter participation with Parks.
Parks Canada has come under scrutiny by stakeholders regarding the freezer program, since it wasn’t an option
discussed nor are they in favor of harvesting moose with the use of helicopters (cull). Also considerable concern
has been raised regarding winter hunts. Another key point of the group to Parks Canada is this is a great
opportunity to incorporate Pilot Programs such as youth hunting, crossbows, outfitter participation, and
resident usage of outfitter services.
In terms of Outfitter participation although Parks Canada has not closed the door, Parks Canada has become
more cautious toward this since they are not seeing a lot of animals in the high country, which causes discomfort
toward substantive outfitter investment with arrangements over several years.
In 2015 a winter survey is to be completed park wide, and also a vegetation survey was to be completed during
summer of 2014.
2014 Safari Club International Convention
The NLOA represented by Executive Director Keith Payne, attended the SCI Annual Hunting Convention in Las
Vegas, from February 5 – 8, 2014. The NLOA though it’s partnership with SCI is provided a booth free of charge
at Safari Club International Conventions, which is strategically positioned amongst other outfitting associations
throughout Canada, USA, and even worldwide. In addition to representing the NLOA by displaying a trade show
booth in the Convention Center, the NLOA representative also participated in meetings of the SCI Guides and
Outfitter Association and the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Association (CFOA).
SCI North American Guides& Outfitters Association Workshop
As President of the NLOA, I attended the 2014 SCI sponsored workshop in Kananaskis, Alberta, in which leaders
of associations across Canada (CFOA) and USA (POGA) were represented. All industry association came
prepared to give a report on what’s been happening within their respective organizations over the last year.
The theme this year was around Predators and Prey. In addition, the group took time to develop a mission
statement.
CFOA Meetings
The NLOA has been a member of “Canadian Federation of Outfitters Association” since established in recent
years. The organization advocates regarding outfitting issues on a federal and national level. The board is
comprised of leaders from outfitting association across Canada. A couple of ongoing item’s CFOA has been
tackling is border issues especially as it relates to clients with DUI’s, and transport Canada’s boating regulations.
CFOA has supported NLOA on items such as lowering of youth hunting age.
SCI Auction
In 2014, the NLOA participated in the SCI auction once again, which is an important fundraiser for the NLOA
since 75% of proceeds are returned to the NLOA. Heartfelt thanks are extended to Arluk Outfitters and
Adventure Quest Outfitters for hosting the winning bidders at the 2014 SCI auction. This year proceeds to the
NLOA were $5,400.00 in total.
Operational Bridge Funding
Members, I trust you have some understanding of what it takes to keep a successful organization operational.
It is obvious your board are continually looking for ways of enhancing our financial situation (such as a levy and
associated membership) while being very watchful of expenditures. Our normal revenue stream such as
membership fees, draw fees, auction etc. are very helpful but obviously not enough to adequate run a office
with key staffing.
However, having stated the above, the Board are very appreciative and I’m sure also our membership towards
Tourism whom upon being approached provided $45,000 which was identified from within their current budget,
and directed to the NLOA as operational bridge funding. This type of assistance is very helpful as we work
toward a more secure, predictable long term solution, as it relates to NLOA’s finances.
NLOA AngusWentzell Memorial Scholarship
This scholarship is named in honor of a founding member of our Association. The scholarship is awarded
annually to a MUN biology student whom is intending to pursue a career in inland fisheries, wildlife
management, wildlife biology or a related field.
Staffing
I feel it is very important and appropriate, to take time to convey some thoughts toward our outgoing staff as
well as our incoming staff. As you know, through correspondence earlier this summer, the Board and myself
were extremely sorry to realize we were losing two incredible staff in our Executive director, Keith Payne, and
Office Administrator Debbie Taylor.
In May, the Board was informed Debbie had made a decision to relocate to Alberta to be close to her family and
grandkids. Shortly, there after Keith advise personally he is feeling the time was right to put an exit plan in
place. Although disappointed we certainly fully respect and understand their decisions. Both Keith and Debbie
were very dedicated, and often put the Association work ahead of themselves.
Keith served as our Executive for four years and was a true pleasure to work him. No doubt, Keith help bring a
calmness, stability, and professionalism to our Industry, and is a large reason why we are where we are today.
As President, I feel we worked very much in unison with an approach that was respectful to our organization.
On behalf of Board, and I’m sure our Membership, we wish both Keith and Debbie much happiness and success
in the future. Thanks so much for helping the transition to new capable employees to be a seamless as possible.
Members, I must also convey we have been very favoured in finding two very capable and accomplished staff
in Cory Foster as our New Executive Director, and Sonya Halfyard as our new Office Administrator. Both bring
a lot to our Association, and are enjoying their new position.
Conclusion:
Although year 2014 brought many changes in our path, our Industry Association continue to have respect
amongst our partners, has a great foundation in place, and is in a very strong position to assume even larger
roles if it had the capacity. The only limiting factor is sustainable finances to increase our capacity, and
ultimately value to membership. It was communicated last year this could ideally include such things as a full
time Marketing Specialist.
As mentioned at the beginning of this report, the NLOA has historical high membership. However, there seems
to be fewer outfitters getting involved, and the responsibility of the Association is carried by so few. Given the
vast number of seasoned Outfitters in conjunction with a number of new entrants to the Industry, there is much
we all can contribute. Undoubtedly, there are excellent ideas, insights, experiences, that can be collectively put
into action on behalf of our Industry Association. With more involvement from an array of outfitters, the NLOA
will surely be “empowering” itself to accomplish great things. Fellow members, again I reiterate it would be
good if all would consider how we can contribute for the betterment of all. Let’s not underestimate our truest
potential!
Yours in Outfitting
Ron Hicks
President
Newfoundland & Labrador Outfitting Association