Leaders of BC, put aside differences to protect the environment

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B.C. is home to a wide variety of wildlife and fish. The abundance of wildlife and fish in British Columbia has decreased to near extinction in less than one human lifetime.

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We now have threatened steelhead and caribou, and record low populations of salmon and moose, mountain sheep, and muledeer. 782 animals and plants are at risk of disappearing forever.

In a situation like this, half-measures will not suffice. We must protect species from becoming endangered or threatened.
The provincial government created a new ministry called Land, Water and Resource Stewardship in the spring of this year. It probably didn’t expect that the name would soon be used by the masses under the acronym Land WaRs. While the government may find this initialism regrettable we welcome it with open arms and a willingness to work together.

We are a diverse collection of nature enthusiasts that includes hunters, fishermen, butterflies enthusiasts, guide-outfitters, tourism associations, and wildlife watchers across B.C. Together, we represent 25 organisations and 273,000 British Columbians.

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Biodiversity is the foundation of our economy, climate resilience and health. This means that we must fundamentally change the way government manages natural resources that we all share and want to pass on to future generations.

The provincial government claims that 19% of our province is protected. We agree that the majority of that, 15.5 percent, is protected. The province is trying to add four percent where it allows for mining and oil and natural gas extraction.

B.C.’s adopted international and Canadian standards require that harmful industrial activities are prohibited in all areas. According to the international and Canadian standards that B.C.

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B.C. B.C. also uses wildlife areas to designate important habitats in the province, such as those for grizzly bears and caribou. While there are some restrictions regarding forestry, there is not protection from the effects of pipelines, roads, or oil wells.

Does this sound like protection? For those of us who are passionate about nature protection, it doesn’t. We are not the only nature-based businesses that depend on B.C.’s wildlife for their livelihood.

The Ministry of Forests should not make decisions about fish and wildlife. They have a culture that treats habitat, wildlife, and fish as constraints to timber objectives.

We hope that the new ministry will adopt a more coordinated approach when protecting plants and animals to help species at-risk recover.

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The stakes will only get higher. Last year’s heat wave killed more than a billion marine animals. The pressures on our lands, and waterways, both from climate impacts and people, are increasing.

The province needs to protect more of their lands and water. 15.5 percent of the province is protected, despite its overestimations. Poll after poll has shown overwhelming support for the global and local movements to increase protected zones. Canada has agreed to international protection targets for water and land of 25% by 2025, and 30% by 2030. B.C. is not on these targets but could and should meet them
B.C. is open to all, regardless of their gender, age or location. Residents express strong support of nature.

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A recent Nanos Research poll found that the majority of British Columbians would prefer government to work more closely with Indigenous peoples and communities to protect the environment. Seventy-five percent of respondents indicated that they would be more inclined to support a government with the goal of protecting 30% of Canada’s lands, waters, and forests by 2030. More than 68% of respondents said that protecting wilderness is the best way Canada can combat climate change.

To stop this crisis becoming worsening, we have put aside all differences. It’s time for elected officials across all political parties to do the right thing and stand up for fish, wildlife, and habitat.

Tori Ball is the terrestrial campaign manager at Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society in B.C. Chapter, with the support and assistance of the B.C. Wildlife Federation, Wildsight, Guide-Outfitters Association of B.C. Commercial Bear Viewing Association.

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