'We need more rangers': Vancouver Park Board aiming to double size of ranger program
The Vancouver Park Board is hoping to double the size and cost of its park ranger program.
On Monday night, board commissioners endorsed Phase 1 of the “Park Ranger Service Model.”
General manager Donnie Rosa said the scope of responsibilities for rangers has increased.
“There are times where they’re protecting mother turtles and their eggs and there are times when they’re bringing water to people in distress who might be experiencing homelessness,” Rosa said.
According to the report presented at Monday night’s meeting, the current program has a “base labour budget” of $1.3 million, funding the equivalent of 15 full-time ranger positions. The new proposal is seeking to more than double the program to $3.1 million to fund the equivalent of 31 full-time positions.
The report also shows a predicted overspend on wages of $1.1 million for 2021, due to overtime expenses.
By increasing the number of rangers, the new model proposes to establish “Specialized Task Teams” to deal with homeless encampments in parks. Rosa said teams would require additional training “like crisis prevention, things like being trauma-informed and harm reduction, cultural awareness.”
Responsibilities of these teams would go above and beyond the current role of a park ranger, including needle sweeps in parks and assisting with those experiencing homelessness.
“The real focus of the park ranger is actually engagement, it’s building trust, it’s building relationships in the community,” Rosa said.
In addition, the board is also considering establishing roles with peace officer status, giving rangers more powers to enforce by-laws.
Previously, park rangers could only issue tickets for smoking in parks. This month, they were also given the authority to issue tickets for feeding wildlife after experts repeatedly said feeding animals led to aggressive coyote behaviour.
Troy DeSouza is a lawyer with Dominion GovLaw LLP, with expertise in by-law enforcement and local government law. He says it “makes sense” to give rangers more enforcement powers, rather than needing additional assistance from police agencies.
“What you want is empowerment of these regulatory officials so that they can actually enforce the law,” DeSouza said.
The current proposal is being sent to Vancouver City Council for budget approval. Rosa anticipates hiring additional staff in the new year if the funding is granted.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Minister 'outraged' after AFN national chief's headdress taken from Air Canada cabin
The federal minister of Crown-Indigenous relations is calling on Air Canada to 'make things right' with the national chief of the Assembly of First Nations, who said her headdress was removed from an airplane cabin during a flight this week.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
'Violation': CSIS had officer investigated after she reported a superior raped her
A CSIS officer's allegations that she was raped repeatedly by a superior in agency vehicles set off a harassment inquiry, but also triggered an investigation into her that concluded the alleged attacks were a “misuse” of agency vehicles by the woman.
'Too young to have breast cancer': Rates among young Canadian women rising
Breast cancer rates are rising in Canada among women in their 20s, 30s and 40s, according to research by the University of Ottawa (uOttawa).
'I was scared': Ontario man's car repossessed after missing two repair loan payments
An Ontario man who took out a loan to pay for auto repairs said his car was repossessed after he missed two payments.
Canada recognizes housing as a human right. Few provinces have followed suit
As more Canadians find themselves struggling to afford or find housing, the country's smallest province is the only one that can point to legislation recognizing housing as a human right.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Taylor Swift dons Montreal designer's dress in 'Fortnight' video
A pair of Montreal designers' work has now been viewed over 41 million times. Taylor Swift dons a Victorian throwback black gown in her latest music video, 'Fortnight', designed by UNTTLD due Simon Belanger and Jose Manuel Saint-Jacques.
What to know about avian influenza in dairy cows and the risk to humans
Why is H5N1, or bird flu, a concern, how does it spread, and is there a vaccine? Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about avian influenza.