Provincial Election and Hunting Regulations

[LachlanStevs]

Firstly I will not be voting tomorrow (currently 17) however, I am curious as to what political you guys will be voting for, and for the purpose of this forum what are the actual changes each party would have on hunting regulations? I know the NDP wants to ban the Grizzly hunt, are there any other important topics that these parties have talked about and what are your opinions on them?
I am simply trying to expand my knowledge of our political parties and I am curious as to what everyone thinks that will happen

[JLsteel]

I am voting liberals and hoping the greens are the opposition party. There is zero focus on funding wildlife by any party and for obvious reason with all the issues people care about but I don't see the liberals negatively affecting hunting rights. I think we need to move to a direct funding model like the Americans, assuming hunters and other wildlife users can generate more than the $34 million that is currently funded out of the provincial budget.

[Wild one]

In my opinion I don't trust any of them to do what is right for hunting/wildlife

Libs have favoured the GOABC in the past so trust issues as a resident hunter. That said they do show they support at the min a form of hunting and are not anti grizz hunt

NDP anti grizz and fear the favour FN hunting to the point it may effect RH this is not fact just how I feel

Greens not any better than NDP had weaver on this forum and I don't trust him again an opinion

Look beyond just hunting/wildlife issues do not ignore economics because no $ means you can't afford to hunt

made my vote already and with the options we have it felt like a kick in the nuts

[Darksith]

I feel like electoral reform is probably the best thing that could come out of this election. The more parties need to share the power and work together the better off we will be. Each party has its own strengths and weaknesses, all parties that are in power for too long become entitled and corrupt, I feel thats where we are now in BC and its time to shake things up, and hopefully remove first past the post and replace it with more of a proportional representation type of government.

[Wild one]

You mean all parties are corrupt no matter who gets in

those in power have proven they are those waiting to get voted in are looking for their chance at corruption

[wideopenthrottle]

You mean all parties are corrupt no matter who gets in

those in power have proven they are those waiting to get voted in are looking for their chance at corruption

that is why I prefer my politicians to be rich already...they have experience being able to "handle money"

[xandra]

Re: Grizzlies

The Liberal platform states: “Today’s B.C. Liberals will work with the Coastal First Nations towards the elimination of the grizzly-bear hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest, continuing with the science-based approach to the bear hunt elsewhere in the province.”

...

The NDP has promised to ban the trophy hunt province-wide if elected, while leaving open the possibility for hunts where the grizzly meat is consumed. One way to regulate such hunts may be to require hunters to turn over those parts of the grizzly that might be used for trophies, including the head and pelt.

The Green party would make it a rule that anyone who kills a grizzly bear would have to cart the meat out to their home, an initiative that would especially discourage hunts by foreigners.


http://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/b-c-first-nations-not-fully-sold-on-liberal-platform-to-end-grizzly-trophy-hunt-in-great-bear-rainforest


LIBERAL PLATFORM:

» Invest $27 million to support an enhanced provincial caribou recovery program to ensure caribou maintain self-sustaining populations.
» Endow the new Wildlife Society with $5 million to manage and grow habitat, with future hunting fee revenue going to- wards the society to support their efforts.
» Develop a plan to protect Steelhead Trout to preserve the species and their spawning grounds, including reaching out to the federal government to develop a collaborative approach. British Columbia has more artists per capita than any other province

Science based approach to wildlife management
We are committed to protecting healthy and sustainable wildlife populations. We must operate on the principle of conservation first in order to pass on B.C.’s natural splendour so future generations can enjoy it. That’s why our wildlife management practices are determined by the best available science. Today’s BC Liberals will work with the Coastal First Nations towards the elimination of the grizzly bear hunt in the Great Bear Rainforest, continuing with the science based approach to the bear hunt elsewhere in the province. We know that many First Nations have a deep connection to the land, and also use wildlife for food, social and ceremonial uses. Our hunting, trapping and angling regulations are designed to ensure species conservation and to maintain healthy wildlife populations for use.
https://www.bcliberals.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/2017-Platform.pdf


NDP PLATFORM:

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.
https://action.bcndp.ca/page/-/bcndp/docs/BC-NDP-Platform-2017.pdf

Hunting is not mentioned in the GREEN PLATFORM, 'wildlife' is mentioned twice in passing:
https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/greenpartybc/pages/2300/attachments/original/1493054476/2017-platform-bcgreenparty-print.pdf?1493054476

[Ltbullken]

I will NOT be voting for the anti-hunting party...

[caddisguy]

I recall seeing an NDP email on Facebook where they said they wanted to "ban all hunting", supposedly a typo that meant to say all trophy hunting or something of that nature.

The liberals are disgusting IMHO but probably the lesser evil when it comes to hunting opportunities. They screwed resident hunters on allocations, but I fear the worst with NDP, envisioning less GOS opportunities and short seasons lasting only a week or two.

NDP economical rhetoric seems down right scary too... hey we're just going to give everyone all sorts of free money and pay for everything blah blah blah without any coherant plan as to how they will pay for all that. I suspect costs would have to inflate or there will have to be a lot more taxes. I am not a fan of reallocation or wealth. As they say, the problem with socialism is that eventually you run out of other peoples money.

[Cordillera]

In addition to the stuff noted above, the NDP platform includes a commitment to update land use plans based on cumulative effects. And a commitment to fully implement the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous People.

[Ferenc]

I will NOT be voting for the anti-hunting party...

X2...... remember back in 2001

[snipersights]

Firstly I will not be voting tomorrow (currently 17) however, I am curious as to what political you guys will be voting for, and for the purpose of this forum what are the actual changes each party would have on hunting regulations? I know the NDP wants to ban the Grizzly hunt, are there any other important topics that these parties have talked about and what are your opinions on them?
I am simply trying to expand my knowledge of our political parties and I am curious as to what everyone thinks that will happen

i for one would like to take this opportunity to say one of the most important things in this forum imo which is thank you to LachlanStevs at the age of 17 for getting ready to vote and gathering what information he can to make the right choice. It is a huge deal that we get more people your age to care about the election. Also everyone needs to vote and the fact that you're getting ready early means a lot. Good on you bud. SS

PS go liberals

[two-feet]

Ndp will take your hunting rights away, the liberals will sell your hunting rights to the highest bidder.

[Comerade]

The NDP'S record here in BC is very poor and seem to have a "father knows best"attitude when in power.I have seen quite a few NDP governments and they are always poorly run. This one will be no different if elected. Also , I see urban/city folks support the NDP and country people usually vote otherwise. Different priorities- different objectives,imo. Glad you are interested at 17!

[ajr5406]

Firstly for the OP - good for you for taking an interest in politics and voting!

Onto your question... Tough situation as we really only have Libs or NDP in the running (and its going to be close)! I would normally vote conservative, but given there isnt even a conservative option in my riding, and wanting to vote in a way that BLOCKS NDP, I voted Liberal.

NDP is the worst option for hunters, but hunting isnt the priority platform issue for me. I am more concerned about things like: healthcare, education, moral and ethical leadership, and economic development (but not at the detriment of environmental and social destruction).

For these reasons, I weigh up the good and the bad and lean towards the Liberals for the provincial election.

P.S. You are doing the right thing - getting informed and learning about the system and the issues that matter to you. Good for you! Talk to your friends about this, and make sure they are educated as well.

[Machinist]

The Liberals not affecting our Hunting Rights , As you Kidding where have you been ?? , Two years ago the Clark GOVT re wrote the book on the LEH allotments taking Hunting oppurtunities out of the Hands of BC residents and gave them to the GOABC and their big money supporter Safari Club International , Go onto the GOABC website and you will see our Premier holding a Check for $10.000 presented to her from GOABC for the extra tags , thanks Christy , and the next time the guides come looking for more tags she will give them more. Folks sure have short memories when it come to Govt, wrong doings , Lets not mention the HST !! lest we forget.


I am voting liberals and hoping the greens are the opposition party. There is zero focus on funding wildlife by any party and for obvious reason with all the issues people care about but I don't see the liberals negatively affecting hunting rights. I think we need to move to a direct funding model like the Americans, assuming hunters and other wildlife users can generate more than the $34 million that is currently funded out of the provincial budget.

[Bugle M In]

It's a tough decision this time for sure.
Liberals gave away our tags to GOABC.
And they haven't done anything to rehabilitate the wildlife habitat.
Then, with the NDP, we run the risk of losing Gbear hunting, even if it is needed for pred control.
And they like to work with the FN too much for my liking....it should be...everyone.
This place is getting too small to have "special interest groups" getting the support.
The Greens...well...carbon tax for what????
Heck, just get the fuel cell technology up and going, and we wont need to worry about carbon...plus, methane is the
biggest problem anyways...
It's all F'd up....no one out there with just good old common sense anymore....
Wish it was just run by "independents at this point....no towing the party line bs.
Either I will sit this one out...or "spoil" the ballot.....depends how busy I am today.

[huntingfamily]

Voted Liberal tonight. IMO lesser of 2 evils. I'll take reduced hunting numbers to risking no hunting on a species that can currently be hunted. Every time!
If you haven't voted yet, please do!

[Ride Red]

i for one would like to take this opportunity to say one of the most important things in this forum imo which is thank you to LachlanStevs at the age of 17 for getting ready to vote and gathering what information he can to make the right choice. It is a huge deal that we get more people your age to care about the election. Also everyone needs to vote and the fact that you're getting ready early means a lot. Good on you bud. SS

PS go liberals

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[sky-gunner]

I voted for the Conservative candidate in my riding, just hoping for some more seats. I my opinion we are gonna get screwed either way with the leadership of all party's in this province.