LEGISLATION COMMITTEE
WTAY’s discussions with Transport Canada for changes to the Marine Liability Act and the Draft Raft Regulations continued for the fifth consecutive year. A WTAY representative is participating in a focus group to define adventure tourism (craft / activities), as exempted from part IV of the MLA, which nullifies waivers for water-based activities. Transport Canada’s changes to the draft rafting regulations in response to WTAY’s concerns have yet to be published – perhaps in 2007.
WTAY is reviewing the Wilderness Tourism Licensing Act, looking specifically at safety requirements (first aid, emergency communication devices, accident reporting). Members will be notified of any developments.
RAFTING CERTIFICATION COMMITEE
In response to the pending federal rafting regulations which may require raft guides to be certified at an approved institution, WTAY has been proactive in drafting a Yukon Rafting Certification Manual. Training, testing and certifying components will be considered over the next several months, including identifying the organizations or partners who might oversee the program.
ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE
WTAY’s work with the Oil and Gas Branch of the Department of Energy, Mines & Resources to have wilderness tourism values recognized and respected during any exploration or development has resulted in Yukon Oil & Gas Best Management Practices for Wilderness Tourism. These guidelines are detailed in a new brochure which you can see at: www.emr.gov.yk.ca/oilandgas/1603.html
WTAY continues to educate government and other land users about wilderness tourism values throughout the Yukon. This work requires active participation in many sectors and vigilant monitoring of projects going through the Yukon Environmental & Socioeconomic Assessment process. WTAY advocated and commented on:
- Land applications conflicting with tourism operations
- Big Game Outfitter land applications
- Kaska Forest Management Plan
- Champagne Aishik Strategic Forest Management Plan
- Teslin Tlingit Forest Management Plan
- Peel Watershed Planning Commission Issues & Interests report
- Proposed Wildlife Act Amendments
- Mining proposals
- Illegal buildings on wilderness lands
- Yukon Energy’s proposed new transmission line
EDUCATION COMMITTEE
With help from the Environmental Awareness Fund, WTAY finalized the production of our brochure Best Environmental Practices on Yukon Rivers – A minimal impact guide for river travellers. These are available to the public and our members to distribute to customers travelling Yukon rivers.
WTAY participated on the Advisory Committee for Yukon College, Haines Junction Campus proposed Wilderness Pursuits Program.
Educational seminars and workshops that WTAY hosted or assisted with were Risk Management and Legal Liability, Health & Wellness Tourism, Wilderness First Aid, Float Plane Safety, Web Marketing and Reibin Insurance presentation. The Fossils & Artifacts seminar was cancelled. More public workshops are being hosted by other organizations and private training institutions, so WTAY avoids duplication.
LANDS COMMITTEE
Since completing an extensive research project into commercial wilderness lands policies in other jurisdictions and other Yukon lands policies, WTAY continues to work with the Departments of Tourism, Environment, and Energy, Mines & Resources to promote and guide the development of a commercial wilderness lands policy in the Yukon. It is expected that the Yukon Government will engage in extensive inter-governmental and public consultations in the upcoming year. WTAY will keep its members informed.
MARKETING COMMITTEEMarketing Yukon Wild is such a major part of what we do every year that these activities are detailed in a separate report prepared by WTAY’s Marketing Manager, available on request.
REPRESENTATION ON NON-WTAY COMMITTEES- Animal Care Standards
- Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund evaluation committee
- Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon board advisory committee
- Leave No Trace Canada
- Workers Compensation Prevention & Safety Advisory Group
- Keep it Green Coalition
INPUT / CONSULTATION
Outside of committee activities, WTAY is frequently consulted on a wide range of projects and issues. Staff or directors may review projects, make submissions or be actively involved with project development. Some of these include:
- Waterfront Development
- Tourism Training Trust Fund changes
- Tourism Yukon re-branding strategy
- TIAY reorganization
- Voter education campaign
PARTNERS
WTAY continues to work with all levels of government to ensure wilderness tourism interests are understood, protected and enhanced. WTAY acknowledges the ongoing support of the Yukon Government, in particular the Department of Tourism & Culture and Minister Elaine Taylor. Energy, Mines & Resources Minister Archie Lang has offered us encouragement in the proposed development of a Commercial Wilderness Lands Policy. The Department of Environment continues to generate valuable data on wilderness tourism activities. Wilderness Tourism Licensee trip reports help us to monitor and ensure the protection our most valuable resources – so thank you for completing and submitting your trip reports!
Federally, Parks Canada provides valuable opportunities and services to the wilderness tourism sector, including trying to simplify bureaucratic paperwork (eg. templates to negotiate the YESAA process).
Other organizations that WTAY has actively partnered with in the past year whose work is valuable and complimentary to ours include:
- Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon
- Yukon Conservation Society
- Canadian Parks & Wilderness Society
- Yukon Convention Bureau
- Yukon College
INFORMATION
WTAY’s main communication tool is e-mail, particularly the E-News which provides short bulletins with links to where you can get more information. Members can send items of specific interest to wilderness tourism operators. Since it provides an affordable, direct, fast means of distributing information to operators, we receive requests from government and other organizations wanting to include their events/news. The WTAY Manager is selective and edits ruthlessly, so you don’t have to waste valuable time slogging through irrelevant or unintelligible information! Our members’ website www.wtay.com will be updated in 2006-07 and monthly ads will appear in newspapers to raise awareness of WTAY.
ADMINISTRATION
WTAY does not have a core operating grant so the viability of the organization depends on a Contribution Agreement with the Yukon Government to manage and deliver the wilderness tourism marketing program (Yukon Wild). Although governments rely on WTAY for increasingly more input, consultation and projects (eg. Status Report, YESAA, land use planning, legislative review or amendments, etc.) we receive little or no compensation for the resulting burden on staff and volunteers. Nevertheless, we participate to protect the interests of our industry and the wilderness environment. Some of our funding applications for special projects did not cover any administrative costs. Another challenge facing WTAY has to do with accountability for Contribution Agreements with YTG, which now requires an annual review of financial statements, further increasing work and costs.
WTAY employs a .75 time office manager and the marketing program is managed by Pawlovich & Associates Inc.
MEMBERSHIP
WTAY continues to represent the majority of wilderness tourism operators. Membership dropped to 85 from 90, mainly due to business closures.
To view WTAY’s current membership directory, go to our searchable database at: http://www.wtay.com/memberSearch.aspx
This summary is evidence that members are getting exceptional value for their WTAY membership! Your comments and questions are always welcome.
Contact us at:
#4 – 1114 First Avenue, Whitehorse, Yukon Y1A 1A3
Tel: (867) 668-3369 Fax: (867) 668-3370 Email: wtay@klondiker.com
