LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
For the fourth year, WTAY lobbied Transport Canada for changes to the Marine Liability Act and the Draft Raft Regulations. This year the work load increased with the additional issue of Transport Canada’s proposal to no longer exempt External Loads on float planes without special certification. WTAY lobbying efforts on these three issues included meetings with the Federal Transport Minister, our Member of Parliament and the Yukon’s Tourism Minister, along with countless letters, calls to action, conference calls with lawyers and other tourism associations and detailed submissions to Transport Canada staff.
Our lengthy and extensive efforts have resulted in partial success. Transport Canada has finally indicated that it will consider changing its current definition of “ship” to not include canoes and rafts. Waivers will then be valid again under the Marine Liability Act. Recently, Transport Canada has also indicated that changes to the draft rafting regulations are being considered in response to concerns raised by WTAY. Exemptions for external loads were extended for a year, allowing float plane and wilderness tourism operators to carry on for another year without costly certification procedures, while also giving carriers more time to work out a solution.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEEEnvironmental issues continue to keep directors busy with consultations, reviewing maps, regulations and proposals. WTAY made submissions regarding oil & gas dispositions, attended an oil & gas industry symposium on best practices and continued working with the Oil & Gas branch to have wilderness tourism values recognized and respected during any development. The committee chair did a presentation on wilderness tourism values to the Peel Watershed Planning Commission during their public consultations. Other submissions addressed:
- Forestry development plans
- Land applications
- Agricultural policy
- Mining proposals
- Species at Risk
- Yukon Wildlife Act
- Hunting Regulations
WTAY offered advice and encouragement to Yukon College to develop a guide training program. WTAY is represented on a Yukon College Advisory Committee for development of a Wilderness Pursuits program. WTAY is exploring development of a rafting guide certification program. WTAY received funding to further develop and print an educational brochure on best practices for river travel. We are in the process of developing educational seminars for our members on archaeology and paleontology (Nov. 24), insurance and risk management (Dec.), health & wellness tourism (Jan. 20, 21), niche markets, product packaging (March) and float plane safety (April).
LANDS COMMITTEEWTAY met with the Minister of Energy, Mines and Resources to lobby for a policy to address applications for commercial wilderness land.
WTAY received funding to hire a consultant to research commercial wilderness lands policies in other jurisdictions and other Yukon lands policies. We worked with the Departments of Tourism, Environment, Economic Development and Energy, Mines & Resources to develop and guide this important research project in anticipation of development of a commercial wilderness lands policy in the Yukon.
MARKETING COMMITTEEMarketing Yukon Wild is such a major part of what we do every year that these activities are detailed in a separate report, available on request.
REPRESENTATIONWTAY is frequently consulted on a wide range of projects and issues. Board members may review projects, make submissions or be actively involved with project development. Two notable projects we worked on with the Department of Tourism are the Yukon Wilderness Tourism Industry Status Report and the Yukon Tourism Asset Maps.
WTAY representatives attended meetings, reviewed documents and made submissions on initiatives such as the Visitor Exit Survey, Northern Strategy, Waterfront Development, Workers Compensation, Wild Land Fire Review, Destination Carcross, Yukon Environmental & Socioeconomic Assessment Act, as well as on the projects listed in the committee reports.
PARTNERSThe Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon continues to work with all levels and departments of governments to ensure wilderness tourism interests are understood, protected and enhanced.
WTAY would especially like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the Yukon Government, in particular the Department of Tourism and Minister Elaine Taylor. As well, the Department of Economic Development provided funding for our Commercial Wilderness Lands Policy Research project and Energy, Mines & Resources Minister Archie Lang has encouraged us to work with his department on the development of a Commercial Wilderness Lands Policy. The Department of Environment continues to monitor wilderness tourism activities and protect our most valuable resources.
