Agree that tariff rates are probably the biggest issue. $$ or more precisely lack of revenue due to low tariffs and for those companies that try to keep the rates at a reasonable level, lack of work because those with low tariffs are getting it, both result in the employees' suffering.
An indepth article on tariffs - sure will be controversial with a lot of companies - see what customers (government & private) look for when they decide who to fly with - is it always only the rates. Case in point is the contract Mustang was awarded for the 350B2 for three years in Wood Buffalo Nat Park at a tariff of about $1000/hr AND when the contract was awarded the Minister responsible for National Parks - I think it was Anne McLellan PRAISED Mustang for giving such a low bid - that sure doesn't help keep the rates up at a reasonable level.
Another issue is the minimum hours placed by various companies (such as oil & gas) for various types of flying. When you look at minimums for some of these companies, they are a duplicate of the next one - most being advised of what they should ask for by a "consultant" - most companies in the NE of BC know the story behind the minimums and the "consultant". Obviously a lot of aerial work requires various degrees of experience, but a lot can be performed safely by low timers. Where can companies find 1,500 to 2,500 hr pilots to fly well site to well site over the muskeg in an R22 at slave wages? I know a lot of operators come up with agreements with the workers at these companies to have pilots with less than the required hours fly and some I have no doubt some skate around the issue of hours, pressuring the pilot to bullshit the customer, or else not fly. What sort of liability will result when an accident happens and it comes out the company deceived the customer......it wouldn't be pretty. An offer for a bid a few years ago for a wildlife capture job required minimum 12,000 hours, several thousand on type and with several hundred hours doing capture and with a 500 odd hr PIC time in the previous year. That was a government job, and the "pilot" I think they were looking for and presumably had the job written for, couldn't even do it due to recency.
Over the past 3-4 years, these minimums have jumped due to the emergence of these consultants, policy and other factors and I am sure it has affected the job prospects of the new pilots.
There, Mike, some ammunition for you!