C.O.R.E. Changes

C.O.R.E. manual changes upset instructors

Jul 16, 2020 | 4:16 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – The newest version of the C.O.R.E. manual has been released and some changes to it have some instructors concerned.

“I think the concern for many has meant a major revision to the examination which means that, now, questions on Aboriginal hunting – which are covered in the synopsis, which I refer people to when I’m teaching my course as something they could know – are valued equally as teaching ethics, with teaching conservation,” explains Sheldon Clare, one of the hundreds of C.O.R.E. instructors in BC.

He says none were consulted about the revisions before the manual was changed.

The authors of the manual cite the goal of the chapter is “to educate hunters about the origin and extent of Indigenous harvesting rights, the importance of wildlife to Indigenous Peoples, and to provide knowledge with respect to Indigenous rights while engaged in outdoor recreational activities including hunting.”

“There was no consultation with C.O.R.E. examiners,” explains Clare. “And, the last few years, we’ve seen C.O.R.E. examiners being moved out of consultation process on changes to the C.O.R.E. program.”

One of the big concerns also is that the manual and the Regulations Synopsis do not jive, which may lead to confusion when completing the course, meaning some may fail the exam at the end of the course.