The Fur-Bearers attended the Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) 2024 convention, engaging with municipalities about wildlife issues across British Columbia. The UBCM is the main forum for local governments to come together, discuss pressing issues in their communities, and collectively call for change.
The UBCM convention is an important opportunity for The Fur-Bearers to share information about our programs and how we can help support local governments to educate the public about wildlife. Many municipalities we spoke to this year expressed interest in our door hanger program, showing a need for continued education to citizens about attractant management and wildlife coexistence.
Black bears and beavers were frequently discussed throughout the convention. We were able to distribute numerous copies of our Beaver Coexistence Booklet and Get Bear Smart Society’s Wildlife Attractant Bylaw Toolkit, both useful resources that can help governments promote coexistence with wildlife in their communities. Many attendees were also interested in our literature review on the urban feeding of fur-bearing wildlife, prompting discussions about both challenges and solutions to wildlife feeding.
Wildlife-related resolutions
This year, there were several UBCM resolutions with impacts to wildlife that The Fur-Bearers supported, many of which were passed. The resolutions are below and indicate whether or not they were endorsed. The full list of resolutions voted on can be read by clicking here.
Put forward by the Village of Pemberton. Page 72 of the Resolution book.
Whereas the Province is responsible for preventing and responding to natural resource law enforcement infractions and human-wildlife conflicts through the BC Conservation Officer Service;
And whereas the Province created the Wildlife Safety Response Officer program, funded by communities, to support BC Conservation Officers and communities in proactively managing human-wildlife interactions:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM lobby the provincial government to fully fund the Wildlife Safety Response Officer program to ensure that all communities have access to the tools they need to protect wildlife and reduce the risks associated with human-wildlife interactions.
UBCM Resolutions Committee Recommendation: Endorse.
UBCM Resolutions Committee Comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution calling on the Province to fully fund the Wildlife Safety Response Officer program to ensure that all communities have access to the tools they need to protect wildlife and reduce the risks associated with human-wildlife interactions.
However, the Committee notes that the membership has consistently endorsed resolutions calling on the provincial government to increase numbers of conservation officers and resources to support wildlife management and to reduce human-wildlife conflict (2021-NR38, 2018-B36, 2017-B29, 2016-B30, 2015-B26, 2013-B73, 2012-B21, 2012-B72, 2013-B27, 2012-B21, 2010-B25, 2004-B81).
Put forward by the District of North Vancouver. Page 169 of the Resolutions book.
Whereas the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service currently can independently decide how to handle black bears and cubs in conflict situations, without the oversight of an independent external public board;
And whereas there is no mandate for orphaned black bear cubs to be taken to a Wildlife Sanctuary for health assessment and treatment by a qualified wildlife veterinarian, and be the sole authority to perform a humane euthanasia of black bear cubs if needed:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request the Province of British Columbia to initiate changes to the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, Human-Black Bear (Single) Conflict Response Guideline, to include a review of actions through an independent civilian-led oversight board, orphaned bear cubs to be transported to a wildlife sanctuary for health assessment of cubs by qualified wildlife veterinarian, for treatment or euthanasia, and an audit done by the Solicitor General of British Columbia Conservation Officer Service actions, policies and procedures.
Endorsed by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association.
UBCM Resolutions Committee Comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution calling on the Province to initiate changes to the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, Human-Black Bear (Single) Conflict Response Guideline, to include a review of actions through an independent civilian-led oversight board, orphaned bear cubs to be transported to a wildlife sanctuary for health assessment of cubs by qualified wildlife veterinarian, for treatment or euthanasia, and an audit done by the Solicitor General of British Columbia Conservation Officer Service actions, policies and procedures.
However, the Committee notes that the membership has consistently endorsed resolutions calling on the provincial government to increase numbers of conservation officers and resources to support wildlife management and to reduce human-wildlife conflict (2021-NR38, 2018-B36, 2017-B29, 2016-B30, 2015-B26, 2012-B72, 2013-B27, 2012-B21, 2010-B25). In particular, resolution 2021-NR38 sought to support the work and informed decision-making by Conservation Officers to consider (not require) orphaned and /or injured juvenile wildlife for rehabilitation, by providing up-to-date information on licensed rehabilitation facilities located in the Province; and to develop a standardized procedure for the assessment of suitability for rehabilitation, capture, emergency treatment, and transfer to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for orphaned and injured wildlife.
Put forward by Saanich and View Royal. Page 170 of the Resolution book. Conference delegates, please be sure to visit the BC SPCA’s booth for their glue trap display and to learn more about the negative impacts on wildlife, pets and rodent welfare.
Whereas glue traps are an ineffective method for controlling rodents as they fail to address the root causes of an infestation, including access to food and shelter, and they cause fear, pain and distress for captured animals, including rodents and non-target animals like birds, bats, small mammals, amphibians, reptiles, and household pets;
And whereas most users are not capable of humanely killing trapped animals, leaving them to suffer for hours, and even days, before dying of suffocation, dehydration, starvation, exhaustion, or exposure:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to implement a province-wide ban on the sale, purchase, and use of glue traps.
Endorsed by the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities.
UBCM Resolutions Committee Comments:
The Resolutions Committee advises that the UBCM membership has not previously considered a resolution asking the Province to implement a province-wide ban on the sale, purchase, and use of rodent glue traps.
However, the Committee notes that the membership has supported other resolutions addressing rodents, including:
- 2021-NR40 which called on the Province to allow local governments to enact bylaws regulating rodenticide use in the newly created Urban Interface Areas;
- 2020-LR2 (UBCM Executive endorsed) which called on the Province to implement a province-wide ban on the sale, purchase and use of anticoagulant rodenticides, and call for the Minister of Health to initiate a special review of the regulation of anticoagulant rodenticides; and
- 2017-B108 which sought the development and funding of a strategy to reduce and/or control the rat population in BC.
Put forward by the Mission. Page 63 of the Resolution book.
Whereas the misuse and abuse of fireworks causes property damage, personal injury, community disturbance and is a threat to first responders;
And whereas a province-wide approach is needed for the safe manufacturing, transportation, retail, wholesale and use of fireworks:
Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the provincial government to regulate the use and sale of fireworks in British Columbia, including public education, enforcement, and transportation.
Endorsed by the Lower Mainland Local Government Association
We will be monitoring any progress regarding the endorsed resolutions from the province and provide updates through our regular channels. We want to express our thanks to all of our donors and supporters for your continued support that allows us to attend important conventions like UBCM. And thank you to all municipal staff, elected officials, and other representatives across the province who work to improve outcomes for wildlife in British Columbia.
