January From the Office 2009

[soaadmin]

TO: All SOA Members
FROM: Executive Director

The Association has been working with Saskatchewan Environment during the last year in developing a sale policy for outfitting businesses.

For the last seven years there has been a freeze on any new applications for outfitting opportunities. Outfitters wishing to expand the bird sector were restricted, fishing outfitters wishing to apply for day use lakes or out camps were restricted, likewise restrictions were placed on big game operations that prevented expansion.

Only the sale of entire outfitting camps was permitted.

Individual outfitting operations have been approaching Saskatchewan Environment requesting that this freeze be lifted. The SOA was asked to participate in developing a new sales policy to ensure that industry needs were being met. Enclosed you will find a second draft of a sales policy. This policy is the outcome of a large consultative process with the SOA and its members. It was discussed at the Fall Forum in Saskatoon where outfitters requested changes. These changes have been incorporated into the draft. The SOA will provide a final opportunity for its members to review this draft. Given approval by the membership the SOA will advise Sask Environment to move towards implementing this policy.