BC United leader Kevin Falcon last week announced an initiative to fund and reform fish and wildlife management in British Columbia, marking the largest commitment in the province’s 152-year history.

Falcon pledged in a media release an unprecedented $100 million to revitalize declining populations of B.C.’s iconic species and their habitats, should his party be elected. The funding would be part of a larger, $200 million strategy developed by industry experts to sustainably manage the province’s cherished natural resources used for hunting, fishing, and viewing.

“Our plan sets a gold standard for conservation,” said Falcon. “It ensures that future generations will enjoy and cherish B.C.’s natural beauty just as we do today. We are putting real value on our wildlife, and we are taking decisive, science-based actions to preserve our biodiversity.”

BC United will establish an independent funding model, managed by a new agency that includes title holders and stakeholders. This model aims to maximize provincial funds by attracting support from NGOs, local governments, businesses, and through innovative means such as wildlife license plates and fines.

The announcement follows several years of work by Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka.

“With this historic investment, we’re not just pledging funds, we are committing to a complete transformation in how we manage our natural heritage,” said Shypitka, BC United Shadow Minister for Mines and Low Carbon Innovation. “This is about ensuring that every dollar from hunting and angling licenses is reinvested directly into the wildlife and habitats that make British Columbia so unique.”

The initiative also addresses urgent threats such as Chronic Wasting Disease, invasive species, and wildfire risks, integrating these into a holistic approach that involves all sectors of society.

The plan would also include centralizing fish, wildlife, and habitat management within a dedicated ministry, ensuring that sustainable practices are at the forefront of provincial governance and are not undermined by other resource-based legislation.

“This isn’t just an investment in fish and wildlife. It’s an investment in the future of British Columbia,” concluded Falcon. “By reforming our approach to environmental management, we’re taking a critical step towards preserving our province’s ecological integrity and biodiversity.”

e-KNOW file photo

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