Permits and licenses

What you need to know

As of January, 2019 

Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve, National Marine Conservation Area Reserve, and Haida Heritage Site is cooperatively managed by the Archipelago Management Board (AMB), which is made up of equal representation from the Government of Canada and the Council of the Haida Nation. The AMB operates by consensus and makes all decisions regarding planning, management and operations of Gwaii Haanas, including media and film permitting.

The AMB recognizes that most media coverage of Gwaii Haanas is beneficial to public awareness of the area and welcomes applicants. During the application process, the potential for environmental and cultural impacts from filming, photographing and story researching is carefully considered.

Gwaii Haanas Media Services

The AMB welcomes professional photographers, journalists, videographers, filmmakers and other media to Gwaii Haanas.

Our media-permitting program offers the following services:

• A media kit with Gwaii Haanas Trip Planner, and Gwaii Haanas and Haida Gwaii facts
• Location consultation
• Assistance with coordinating interviews with Gwaii Haanas staff 
• An email introduction to the Council of the Haida Nation communications department, to enable possible interviews or fact checking with CHN representatives.
• Liaison with the Haida Gwaii Watchmen program
• Fact checking
• On site staff for location advice, interviews, and helping to ensure permit compliance.
• Gwaii Haanas Staff Media Guide to travel with media crew may be requested by either the Archipelago Management Board and/or the media applicant. This is a fee based service.

At the discretion of the media permitting coordinator, media may be required to provide proof of their assignment with a verifiable media outlet. With no verifiable assignment, media will also be required to pay regular visitor fees. To make the most of your Gwaii Haanas experience, please contact the Gwaii Haanas Media Permitting Coordinator well ahead of your proposed travel dates.

Please note that the Council of the Haida Nation has an independent research and film permit application process.
All researchers and videographers conducting work on Haida Gwaii must have an approved application before starting work in a community or conducting interviews. Information cannot be collected before receiving a file number. 

Visit their website and click on Research & film applications for more information.

Archipelago Management Board Requirements

1. All media require an approved Gwaii Haanas Media and/or Film permit to undertake their project in Gwaii Haanas. Media is defined as (but not limited to) journalists, videographers, filmmakers, photographers, photojournalists etc)
2. All permit application forms must be submitted fully completed and contain sufficient detail to give an accurate picture of your planned media activities. The decision on your application will be based on the information provided.
3. All applicants will submit an application processing fee (see Fee Chart) with submission of each application for a media and/or film permit.
4. All media must attend a Gwaii Haanas visitor orientation – delivered by Gwaii Haanas staff
5. All media will comply with the same requirements as visitors (see here for details) 
6. Location fees will be charged for any media requests that require exclusive use of any location within Gwaii Haanas – including K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) and T’aanuu Llnagaay (Tanu). An assessment for location fees will be made by the Media Permitting Coordinator. The location fee is applied to each research and/or production day and will not be pro-rated. Location fees vary with crew size and length of visit, and may be discounted according to factors, such as how closely the content of the film reflects Gwaii Haanas priority messages. Maximum time allotted for exclusive use is six hours per day.
7. All media/film crew leaders must have a copy of the signed permit available for inspection by Gwaii Haanas staff or Haida Gwaii Watchmen at all times.
8. All media permit application packages be reviewed by the Council of the Haida Nation communications team to ensure they are aware of media work being done in Gwaii Haanas. 

Additional requirement specifically for film companies:

• Film companies must provide proof of insurance coverage (minimum $2,000,000 comprehensive general liability insurance naming Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada as represented by Parks Canada Agency as an additional insured) to be carried for the duration of the production in Gwaii Haanas.
• Crews most often travel in Gwaii Haanas with a tour operator licensed by Parks Canada. In some circumstances, crews may travel independently, or they may be able to travel with Gwaii Haanas, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, or Council of the Haida Nation staff. Unlicensed tour operators are not permitted.

The Permit Process

Step 1:

Contact: Media Permitting Coordinator

Gwaii Haanas reception: 250-559-8818

Email:gwaiihaanas@pc.gc.ca

Fax: 250-559-8366

Street: 60 Second Beach Road, Skidegate

Mail: PO Box 37, Queen Charlotte, BC, V0T 1S0

Step 2:
Complete the Gwaii Haanas Media and/or Film Permit Application form.

Step 3:
Return the completed form with the application processing fee (see Fees below) to the Media Permitting Coordinator. Fees are payable by Visa, MasterCard, cheque (made out to the Receiver General of Canada) or money order.

Step 4:
Gwaii Haanas staff will review and process the application. Notification of assessed location fees will be provided following approval. The AMB may negotiate additional terms. Location fee payment must be received before beginning any filming activities.

Step 5: 
The package will also be shared with and reviewed by the Haida Nation communications team. The AMB may negotiate additional terms. Location fee payment must be received before beginning any filming activities.

Step 6:
All crew members must attend a one and a half hour orientation in Skidegate, BC delivered by Gwaii Haanas staff, before entering Gwaii Haanas. This will be arranged by the Media Permitting Coordinator.

Step 7:
The approved media and/or film permit will be provided during the orientation. The senior media/film representative must sign the permit and keep it available for inspection by Gwaii Haanas staff or Haida Gwaii Watchmen at all times.

Step 8:
A Parks Canada representative may accompany the crew into Gwaii Haanas, if required by the AMB or requested by the production company.

Note: Begin the application process as early as possible. Gwaii Haanas accepts applications year round. Last-minute applications still have to go through the same process and run the risk of not being approved prior to the planned trip.

Contact: Media Permitting Coordinator:
Reception: 250-559-8818
Email: gwaiihaanas@pc.gc.ca
Fax: 250-559-8366
Street: 60 Second Beach Road, Skidegate
Mail: Box 37, Queen Charlotte, BC, V0T 1S0

For questions or information about Haida history and culture please contact: 
Raven Ryland, Council of the Haida Nation Communications, 250-559-4468 or communications.ea@haidanation.com

It is recommended that you plan your trip to Gwaii Haanas by booking with a licensed operator well in advance. If travelling independently, contact the Gwaii Haanas office to make a reservation. For useful trip planning information, including a list of licensed operators, visit here.

Parks Canada Fees

Application and Location Fees

An application processing fee payment is required with every media permit application. The application fee is non-refundable.

Location fees are charged for requests that require exclusive use of any location within Gwaii Haanas—including K’uuna Llnagaay (Skedans) and T’aanuu Llnagaay. The location fee is applied to each production day and will not be pro-rated.

Film makers, videographers and staged photo shoots that require exclusive use of a site or area in Gwaii Haanas will be assessed for location fees.  Please contact the Permitting Coordinator for more information.

Gwaii Haanas Staff Media Guide Fees

Staff guide fees may be charged when Gwaii Haanas staff travel with the media crew, whether as required by the Archipelago Management Board or as requested by the crew.

These rates are set by Parliament. They are designed to cover the full range of staff salaries and to compensate for any overtime that might be incurred.