British Columbians are proud to live in a beautiful province with clean air, land and water. We are blessed with incredible ecological diversity. It’s part of who we are, and the source of economic prosperity for com- munities across the province—prosperity that can grow with vision and leadership. Protecting the environment and creating jobs go hand in hand. Wildlife viewing, recreational fishing and hunting, and other eco-tourism activi- ties add 40,000 jobs to our economy every year, and that contribution is growing.
Banning the grizzly trophy hunt
British Columbia is one of the few places on earth where grizzlies still thrive. Recreational viewing of grizzlies generates significant economic activity and good jobs on the coast and in the interior. The vast majority of British Columbians believe it is wrong for these rare and threatened creatures to be shot for trophies. It’s not just wrong, it’s bad for the economy. The trophy hunting of grizzly bears delivers fewer jobs than wildlife viewing operations, and is opposed by most hunters.
› We will ban the grizzly bear trophy hunt.
› We will make permits for other kinds of hunting more fair for BC residents.
Protecting species at risk
There are more species at risk of going extinct in BC than anywhere else in Canada. Yet, we’re one of the only provinces in the country without stand-alone species at risk legislation.
› We will bring in an endangered species law and harmonize other laws to ensure they are all working towards the goal of protecting our beautiful province.
› We will work with the federal government, South Okanagan communities, and local First Nations to create a plan to protect the large number of endangered species in that area, as the federal government develops a new national park.
...
Improving wildlife management
British Columbia’s biodiversity, fish and wildlife populations and the habitat upon which they depend are under threat due to lack of funding, government cuts to staff and ineffective policies.
› We will ensure dedicated funding for wildlife and habitat conservation, give wildlife and habitat priority, and engage concerned groups to work collaboratively towards short and long term plans for our wildlife resources.
›
We will put all funds from hunting licenses and tags into a dedicated fund for wildlife and habitat conservation.
› We will bring people who rely on our wildlife resources together and ensure they all participate in and contribute financially to conservation. This way we will not only ensure dedicated funding for habitat conservation but have the funds required to do the work needed.
Sustaining aquaculture and commercial and recreational fishing
BC’s wild salmon are an iconic species that underpin entire ecosystems. Salmon are critical to the food, livelihoods and culture of coastal communities and First Nations.
› We will ensure that the salmon farming industry does not endanger wild salmon by implementing the recommendations of the Cohen Commission, keeping farm sites out of important salmon migration routes, and supporting research and transparent monitoring to minimize the risk of disease transfer from captive to wild fish.
› We will also provide incentives to help the aquaculture industry transition to closed containment where possible.
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Wild one
