You have two days left to let your opinion be know on the proposed Region 7B changes to moose and caribou hunting regulations:
Rationale
- These proposed hunting regulations are aimed at addressing the ability of Treaty 8 First Nations to continue their way of life and begin to address the impacts of industrial development of the rights guaranteed in this Treaty as confirmed in the Supreme Court of BC decision Yahey vs. BC (June 29, 2021).
- The proposed hunting regulation changes are a two-year interim measure and only one part of a broader package of actions specific to improving wildlife stewardship, upholding Treaty rights, and habitat conservation and the future of resource management. This work is bringing the Province, Treaty 8 Nations, and stakeholders together in a shared management vision.
Backgrounder: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/download/43AA0E3199B04A07B1251D823F22ED36
Summary of the issue from the BC Wildlife Federation:
- In June 2021, the BC Supreme Court ruled that Industrial development in Northern BC under the watch of BC governments had infringed upon the rights of the Blueberry First Nation under Treaty 8 in Northeast BC.
- As part of the ruling, BC government has proposed that BC resident hunter’s hunting opportunity be reduced by 50%.
- That is a political decision and not a science-based one.
- The proposal is divisive and the science says that such a change is not required.
- Opposing the proposed regulation change means that you do not agree with the government’s politically-motivated and unscientific recommendation on how to fix the ‘problem’.
BCWF Website: https://bcwf.bc.ca/peace-region-hunting-regulations/
BCWF Infographics:
Moose Harvest:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbA3KCLsfTG/
https://www.instagram.com/p/CbKyTWbuEj-/
Caribou Harvest and economic impact: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbDECBYsKYI/
Lost Revenue: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbG7VhNN6Hl/
The Reality of the Proposal: https://www.instagram.com/p/CbNZuwxunA6/
The BCWF’s Stance: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca96yLqOuBi/
Here is a good analysis of the BC Supreme Court Decision:
https://www.blakes.com/insights/bulletins/2021/b-c-supreme-court-declares-breach-of-treaty-8-for
Here is the original Treat No. 8:
http://treaty8.bc.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Treaty-No-8-Easy-Read-Version.pdf
Where the Treaty touches on Hunting:
And Her Majesty the Queen HEREBY AGREES with the said Indians that they shall have right to pursue their usual vocations of hunting, trapping and fishing throughout the tract surrendered as heretofore described, subject to such regulations as may from time to time be made by the Government of the country, acting under the authority of Her Majesty, and saving and excepting such tracts as may be required or taken up from time to time for settlement, mining, lumbering, trading or other purposes.
Here is the interpretation from the BC Supreme Court:
- https://www.osler.com/en/resources/regulations/2021/british-columbia-supreme-court-issues-precedent-setting-cumulative-effects-decision
- Where is touches on Hunting:
- Among other things, Justice Burke found that BRFN’s Treaty 8 rights depend on healthy populations of moose and other wildlife so that the BRFN members have a chance at being successful on their hunts and do not need to travel far from or outside of their territory to find game (para 437). She also noted that BRFN’s way of life depends on a relatively stable environment, and that if forests are cut, or critical habitats are destroyed, it is not as simple as finding another place to hunt (para 433).
You should be able to see the clear difference between what the original Treaty No. 8 and the BC Supreme Courts wording in regards to hunting.
