Stricter bear spray rules could be coming to Vancouver after police raise alarm about its use
In response to concerns raised by police about incidents involving bear spray, Vancouver city council is being asked to tighten restrictions on the item's sale and display – and to impose hefty fines for sellers who break the rules.
A report from city staff recommending a new bylaw is set to be voted on at next Tuesday's meeting.
The recommended changes are to prohibit the sale of bear spray to anyone who is under 19 or who does not provide ID and to require sellers to document every sale. Records of each transaction would include the purchaser's name and details about the ID they presented, and those records would have to be kept for at least a year and produced if requested by a city official. Displays, the report proposes, should be locked or otherwise made inaccessible to the public.
The proposal further recommends a violation ticket of $1,000 be issued for each infraction.
"Regulating the sale of bear spray is a proactive measure to increase public safety and potentially reduce the number of violent offences involving these products in Vancouver, particularly by youth," the report says.
"Staff did not consider an outright ban on the sale of bear spray to ensure adults who require bear spray for its intended usage still have access to it at businesses in Vancouver. The recommendations proposed by staff are aimed at striking a balance between protecting public safety while supporting businesses."
Statistics provided by the Vancouver Police Department detail the number of annual offences reported over the past five years involving the use of bear spray, specifically in cases involving threats, assaults, and robberies.
In 2018, the total was 429 and in 2022 it was 721. The highest number of cases was recorded in 2020, with 730. Cases involving youth have seen annual increases since 2018 – from 52, to 70, to 80, to 100, to 115.
"While possession or sale of bear spray – including to a minor – is not illegal, it becomes a public safety issue and can become a criminal offence when used for purposes other than its intended use," the staff report says.
The report notes that municipal governments in Surrey, Chilliwack and Port Coquitlam have taken measures to regulate the sale and display of bear spray. The report says those measures have been successful in decreasing its use in police-reported crimes, but detailed data is not provided.
Because a municipal bylaw approach to regulation can not prevent people from travelling to neighbouring cities or ordering the product online, the staff report also asks the mayor to write to B.C.'s environment minister to advocate for a province-wide response.
The province could require bear spray to be classified as a "restricted pesticide," which would require vendors to get a license to sell it and to keep records for each sale.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canadian gov't proposes new foreign influence registry as part of wide-spanning new bill
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government is proposing a suite of new measures and law changes aimed at countering foreign interference in Canada, amid extensive scrutiny over past meddling attempts and an ever-evolving threat landscape.
Boeing Starliner capsule's first crewed test flight postponed
The long-awaited first crewed test flight of Boeing's new Starliner space capsule was called off for at least 24 hours over a technical issue that launch teams were unable to resolve in time for the planned Monday night lift-off.
Teacher charged in historical sexual assault of Calgary teenage girl
Calgary police have charged a teacher with the alleged sexual assault of a teenage girl more than 20 years ago.
Winnipeg man admits to killing four women, argues he's not criminally responsible
Defence lawyers of Jeremy Skibicki have admitted in court the accused killed four Indigenous women, but argues he is not criminally responsible for the deaths by way of mental disorder – this latest development has triggered a judge-alone trial rather than a jury trial.
Man banned from owning animals after fatal Calgary dog attack
The owner of three Calgary dogs that got loose and mauled a woman to death in 2022 has been ordered to pay a $15,000 fine within one year and banned from owning any animal for 15 years.
East-end Ottawa family dealing with massive rat infestation
Residents in Ottawa’s Elmridge Gardens complex are dealing with a rat infestation that just won’t go away. Now, after doing everything they can to try to fix the issue, they are pleading with the city to step in and help.
Mediterranean staple may lower your risk of death from dementia, study finds
A daily spoonful of olive oil could lower your risk of dying from dementia, according to a new study by Harvard scientists.
An El Nino-less summer is coming. Here's what that could mean for Canada
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Newfoundland and Labrador latest province to tighten rules on Airbnbs
Newfoundland and Labrador is the latest jurisdiction to bring in stricter rules for short-term rentals, with a coming set of regulations that will force operators to register with the provincial government.