Fostering quality outdoor experiences for all Canadians

From remote mountain adventures to fresh-air experiences just outside your urban door, Canada offers a bounty of outdoor activities – and the Outdoor Council of Canada is working to encourage even more people to take part.

Originally established in 2008 in response to tragic accidents involving youth on outdoor expeditions, the OCC's primary role was initially to offer courses on the foundations of outdoor leadership, ensuring that anyone leading trips could do so safely and effectively. It evolved from a mostly certifying body to a broader industry association, representing the interests of outdoor enthusiast members and organizations.

“We’re ideally suited in Canada - the natural space is the infrastructure for the industry,” said Outdoor Council of Canada Executive Director Franz Plangger. “And protection of that space and that ecosystem means economic growth.”

Plangger said Canada’s natural landscapes offer great promise for the future growth of the industry, but there is much work to be done to advance and promote it.

“We have all the ingredients in place for this sector to be a thriving one, however it’s very fragmented and disconnected from other institutional structures in the country,” he said.

Plangger said the province of Quebec serves as a model for the sector; it has been on a “huge roll” in the last 20 years building a successful outdoor industry. He hopes the Outdoor Council of Canada will become an even bigger rallying force to help people enjoy safe and sustainable outdoor activities right across the nation.

Today, the OCC serves a diverse membership of about 2,700 individuals and organizations, including outdoor professionals and companies. They partner with various entities, including public and governmental organizations, to promote and enhance outdoor activities.

One recent significant partnership launched is with Tourism HR Canada on a workforce development project in Alberta. Project manager Lindsey Gartner said the project aims to support the sector by attracting and retaining highly skilled and motivated individuals who want to work in the outdoor industry.

**“I really see the outdoor sector as a powerful foundation to steward and co-create economic systems where human and nature see themselves as living together, taking care of each other”**

Lindsey Gartner, Project Manager, Outdoor Council of Canada

This project, funded by the Government of Alberta through Jobs, Economy, and Trade, seeks to unify the voices of various service providers, certifying bodies and educational institutions. Gartner, who studied ecological economics, believes in creating economic systems where everyone prospers - a belief she shares with the Coalition for a Better Future.

“For me, I believe in creating a resilient future where everyone thrives. And by everyone, I mean nature and humans. I really see the outdoor sector as a powerful foundation to steward and co-create economic systems where human and nature see themselves as living together, taking care of each other,” she said. “I think that the outdoor sector provides that platform and that's more of the ecological economic lens.”

Gartner said the vast, rugged wilderness is part of Canada’s national identity, but experiencing it also offers tremendous mental health and wellness benefits. But now small and medium-sized operators in the industry must develop adaptation strategies to navigate the precarious landscapes of the future due to climate change. A diminished snowpack is changing whitewater experiences, for example; what was once a major white river adventure may be more like a river float.

The challenge is to help these operators and others in the industry adapt so they can stay economically viable.

Plangger agrees that forest fires, droughts and general unpredictability around natural events are changing the industry, but the OCC remains optimistic, proactive and determined to create a more cohesive, well-connected sector.

The OCC's membership in the Coalition for a Better Future underscores its commitment to shaping a sustainable and thriving outdoor sector in Canada.

Franz said he appreciates the Coalition's role in bringing together diverse, high-calibre individuals to address these challenges: "In a polarizing world, having leadership that brings together people from different political backgrounds is more important than ever."