HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of British Columbia, enacts as follows:

Review of Wildlife Support

1  (1) The minister responsible for the Wildlife Act and Fisheries Act shall review funding mechanisms to provide adequate resources to research and maintain the health of fish, wildlife and habitat in British Columbia.

(2) The review shall include:

(a) consideration of funding mechanisms in other relevant jurisdictions, and

(b) monitoring the effectiveness of any funding mechanism.

Science Based Habitat Management

2   The minister shall:

(a) set objectives for the conservation or enhancement of fish and wildlife habitats,

(b) ensure that the impact of development on the provincial land base in relation to conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat is accounted for in planning decisions,

(c) manage land resources, including forests, to take into account the conservation and enhancement of habitat health,

(d) manage provincial marine resources to take into account the conservation and enhancement of habitat health,

(e) ensure that steps are taken to mitigate the impact of climate change,

(f) work with the minister responsible for the Forest Act to establish a provincial fire management plan that takes into account the conservation and enhancement of fish and wildlife habitat, and

(g) create and set habitat recovery plans for both the long and short terms.

Science Based Wildlife Management

3  The minister shall:

(a) set objectives for the management of fish and wildlife populations which ensure the continued conservation and viability of these populations based on the First Nations principle of providing a sustainable resource for seven generations,

(b) ensure that fish and wildlife inventories are regularly complete,

(c) where required, create and set population recovery plans for both the short and long term, and

(d) provide for peer review of objectives and plans.

Collaborative Approach to Wildlife Management

4  Management of fish and wildlife and habitat shall be done in collaboration with

(a) First Nations on a government to government basis, in recognition of First Nations legal rights and title, and

(b) stakeholder groups including resident hunters and fishers, guide-outfitters, trappers, wildlife and outdoor recreation groups, natural resource industries and others.

Wildlife Management Roundtable

5  (1) The Minister shall establish a Wildlife Management Roundtable with First Nations and stakeholder groups including resident hunters and fishers, guide-outfitters, trappers, wildlife and outdoor recreation groups, natural resource industries, and others.

(2) The roundtable will report to a committee so designated by the Legislative Assembly.

(3) The roundtable will take an inclusive and collaborative approach drawing upon the expertise of member groups.

(4) The roundtable will

(a) consider how to increase the social value of natural public resources,

(b) develop public education programs,

(c) provide comment and advice on the objectives set under section 2(1) and section 3(1) of this Act,

(d) develop and assess wildlife management tools, and

(e) other activities at the request of the minister or the legislative committee.

Funding

6  (1) A special purpose account shall be established for the sole purpose of funding wildlife and habitat management.

(2) The minister has the authority to establish additional funding mechanisms based on information gathered by the review under section 1.

(3) Revenue collected shall only go to the special account, and not to general revenue.

 
Explanatory Note

This Bill requires the government to set objectives for the conservation of fish and wildlife habitat and for the management of fish and wildlife resources in the province so as to ensure the continued viability of these resources.

This Bill provides that wildlife and habitat are considered a priority when planning for land and water use activities in British Columbia.

Management of fish and wildlife and habitat shall be done in collaboration with First Nations on a government to government basis.

The Bill establishes a Wildlife Management Roundtable to provide comment and advice on the objectives set by the government for habitat and management, as well as advice on how to increase the social value of British Columbia’s natural resources.

The Bill establishes a Special Purpose Account for funding wildlife and habitat management.