New president of B.C. Wildlife Federation aims for stability
The new president of the 50,000-member B.C. Wildlife Federation, the province’s largest fishing and hunting organization, is a former senior provincial fisheries biologist.
Former federation vice-president Harvey Andrusak replaces Jim Glaicar, who resigned last month after a series of controversies.
Andrusak, a resident of Nelson and vice-chair of the non-profit Habitat Conservation Trust Foundation, said Wednesday he worked 20 years as a fisheries biologist for the province, including as director of fisheries. He now operates a freshwater fisheries management business, Redfish Consulting.
He said that he hopes to use his experience “to provide stability to the organization moving forward,” but he declined to comment on the controversies that have dogged the organization for more than a year.
“I’m not really interested in talking a lot about the internal affairs of the federation,” he said.
Two former federation presidents, Bill Bosch and Les Husband, “have stepped up to the plate with me” and are now serving as vicepresidents, Andrusak said.
“I need their strength and knowledge of wildlife. They’ll help a lot.”
Operations manager Cheryl Johnson has also resigned at the federation’s Surrey headquarters. Brenton Frolich is filling that role on a temporary basis pending a formal hiring process.
Last summer, Peter Louwe, the organization’s communications co-ordinator and a former TV journalist, blamed a “toxic workplace atmosphere” for his decision to leave. His letter of resignation put the blame on Johnson and Glaicar. In a counter email, Glaicar told Louwe: “It is not surprising that you are leaving as your actions have not been conducive to a positive workplace.”
In April of this year, Postmedia reported that the RCMP and Canada Revenue Agency had received complaints from BCWF members about a $4,000 donation made to the B.C. Liberal party. The money was given to the Okanagan chapter to participate in a fundraising golf tournament for the B.C. Liberals. As a charity, the Wildlife Federation is not allowed to make political contributions.
A spokesperson said the BCWF had not realized that “paying to attend would be considered a third-party political donation by the federation.” The Liberal party refunded the money at the chapter’s request.
In early 2016, the BCWF suspended vice-president Ed George for three months over sexist and racist emails sent to staff. George claimed he was the victim of a witch hunt, and unsuccessfully challenged his suspension in B.C. Supreme Court in March.