Outfitters warn any N.B. ban on American hunters and anglers would devastate industry

Pressure is mounting on New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt to abandon a proposal that would prevent American citizens from obtaining provincial hunting and fishing licenses as retaliation against U.S. tariffs. Clay Harrison, head of the United Guides and Outfitters of New Brunswick, warns that such a ban would devastate local outfitters who rely heavily on American clients for income. In 2017, $8.9 million was spent in New Brunswick by hunters and anglers using outfitters' services, with $7.3 million coming from foreign clients, primarily the United States. Scott Ellis, vice chair of the Canadian Federation of Outfitter Associations, emphasized that a ban on American licenses would severely harm tourism businesses across Canada. Harrison also noted that some local businesses depend solely on American customers for their survival, with about 85 percent of industry clients coming from the U.S.