Whereas the provincial government is responsible for managing wildlife through its Conservation Service, with a reduction in the number of conservation officers in the field and the zone deployment model having a negative impact on the ability of the BC Conservation Officer Service to meet the needs of communities experiencing an increase in habituated wildlife population; And whereas the British Columbia Conservation Officer Service has not been able to adequately address public safety, focus on natural resource law enforcement, off road vehicle enforcement, illegal dumping, human wildlife conflicts prevention, or respond to wildlife human conflict; And whereas the UBCM membership previously endorsed resolutions calling on the provincial government to increase numbers of conservation officers and resources to support wildlife management through resolutions 2018-B36, 2017-B29, 2016-B30, 2015-B26, 2013-B27, 2012-B22, 2010-B25, 2003-B32, 1996-B27, 1996-B64, 1992-B35: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the provincial government provide additional funding, offices and staffing to fully support the BC Conservation Officer Service to be more active and proactive in effectively managing conservation services.
