Wildlife Act changes support reconciliation

The B.C. government has introduced legislation to ensure greater collaboration and reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples in the management of wildlife in the province. “Wildlife is vitally important to Indigenous Peoples but for too long their voices were not being heard, and they had too little input into how this precious resource was being managed,” said Katrine Conroy, Minister of Forests. “For the first time, the changes we’re making will ensure Indigenous ancestral knowledge of wildlife is considered, and that will mean a stronger and more effective relationship for wildlife stewardship with Indigenous Peoples.” The foundational laws for managing wildlife in B.C. came into effect almost 200 years ago. Updates to laws over the years have reflected the changing nature of wildlife management in response to social values, common law and scientific advancement. For the first time, the legislation is being amended to integrate Indigenous perspectives.

Additional coverage in CTV News by Andrew Weichel: B.C. Wildlife Act amendments bring Indigenous perspectives into wildlife management