Wildlife Act Review

The B.C. government has initiated a review of the Wildlife Act, under the commitment made in Action 12 of the Together for Wildlife Strategy priorities. These include:

• Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
• Setting objectives
• Improving wildlife stewardship outcomes
• Ensuring effective and accessible service delivery
• Dedicating funding

In addition to these priority areas, administrative updates are needed to support the proper functioning of the Wildlife Act.

This work will support the implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act. Section 3 requires the government take all measures necessary, in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples, to ensure the laws of British Columbia are consistent with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

---

---

Wildlife Act Review status updates

Targeted engagement with rights and title holders, advisory bodies, key interest groups and B.C. government ministries concluded in March 2024. The results of targeted engagement will inform the development of proposed changes to the Wildlife Act. Consultation with rights and title holders and engagement with advisory bodies, other government agencies, interest groups, and the public is planned for early 2025.

Updates to the Wildlife Act are planned for as early as spring 2026.

---

Review process

In alignment with the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, the review will be done in consultation and cooperation with Indigenous Peoples. Recognizing the breadth of topics that will need to be explored in the review of the Wildlife Act, the B.C. government is taking a phased approach to collaboration and consultation with rights and title holders to ensure all challenges and opportunities are considered.

The First Nations-B.C. Wildlife and Habitat Conservation Forum and the First Nations Leadership Council will assist in the development of the policy intentions paper. The review will also proceed in partnership with other key advisory bodies including the Minister’s Wildlife Advisory Council, the Provincial Hunting and Trapping Advisory Team, other non-government organizations, as well as other B.C. government ministries.

Policy intentions are scheduled to be shared in early 2025 during consultation and public engagement.

---

Policy themes

The review will cover the following policy themes:

• Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples
• Objective setting
• Hunting, angling, trapping and commercial activities
• Fish and wildlife habitat, conservation lands and stewardship
• Compliance and enforcement
• Funding, administration, miscellaneous updates and corrections

Principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and reconciliation will be considered throughout all themes.

The list above is not exhaustive and may change because of ongoing engagement and consultation efforts.