For immediate release
Vancouver, BC [October 4, 2023] – Across the province, 84% of British Columbians disapprove of the sport / trophy hunting of grizzly bears, a new Research Co. poll conducted in partnership with Pacific Wild Alliance has found.
In the online survey of a representative provincial sample, 70% of British Columbians disagree with the Government of British Columbia reinstating the grizzly bear sport / trophy hunt, that was banned by the provincial government in 2017.
Opposition to the return of the grizzly bear trophy hunt is highest on Vancouver Island (79%), followed by Southern BC (75%), the Fraser Valley (74%), Northern BC (70%) and Metro Vancouver (66%).
More than three-in-four British Columbians (77%) think it is time for the provincial government to pass a law ensuring that the ban on the trophy/sport hunting of grizzly bears implemented in December 2017, remains in place.
“The notion of enshrining the ban on grizzly bear trophy hunting in legislation is popular across the political spectrum,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “At least two thirds of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals (66%), the BC Greens (68%) and the BC NDP in 2020 (73%), support this idea.”
More than three-in-four British Columbians (76%) agree that decisions about the stewardship of grizzly bears should remain in the hands of the provincial government, with grizzly bears held in trust for all British Columbians.
“Grizzly bears, like countless other transboundary species, need a coordinated conservation strategy at the provincial and national level working with Indigenous governments,” says Karen McAllister, the executive director of Pacific Wild, “The B.C. government appears to be going in the opposite direction, preferring to offload its wildlife management responsibilities to regional and local committees.”
More than four-in-five British Columbians think it is inappropriate for humans to hunt four different species for sport / trophy in the province: grizzly bears (84%), wild cats (also 84%), black bears (83%) and wolves (81%).
Just under three-in-four British Columbians (74%) disagree with the notion that natural predators (such as bears, cougars and wolves), should be killed to decrease competition with hunters for moose, deer and elk.
The B.C. government is currently seeking feedback on its draft Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework with a deadline of October 6th. Pacific Wild Alliance is encouraging people to let the government know—either by filling out the survey or contacting government directly—that the ban on grizzly hunting should be continued and legislated.
For more information on the Grizzly Bear Stewardship Framework visit www.pacificwild.org.
Methodology:
Results are based on an online study conducted from September 23 to September 25, 2023, among 1,000 adults in British Columbia.
The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.1 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
All things considered, do you agree or disagree with this statement?
“The Government of British Columbia should pass a law ensuring that the ban on the trophy/sport hunting of grizzly bears in December 2017 remains in place.”
Agree – 77% Disagree – 13% Not sure – 10%
For more information, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
[c] 778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca
Karen McAllister, Executive Director, Pacific Wild.
[c] 250.957.7400
[e] karen@pacificwild.org
About Research Co.
Simply put, we are curious about what people think and the decisions they will make. Some call it public opinion, others call it polling or public affairs. We never compromise facts for profit. Our agenda is the truth. We have a global network of partners in the qualitative, data collection and data visualization specialities.
About Pacific Wild
Pacific Wild Alliance is a registered Canadian charity that protects wildlife and their habitat in the Pacific Northwest through impactful communications, innovative research, public education, community outreach and raising conservation awareness to achieve the goal of lasting environmental protection for the lands and waters of British Columbia.
