The BC Government Bill that will allow the Park Board bylaw change giving them authority over drinking in our parks passed 3rd reading in the BC Legislature on May 31, 2021. This means that the Pilot program could be enacted sometime this summer and doesn't leave us much time to have the Vanier Park location reconsidered.
The linked video of the geese at Vanier Ponds was taken on June 10, 2021 and shows the extent of this wildlife roaming ground that will be disturbed by drinkers at the ponds ... IF the Park Board gets its way this summer. Soon the beavers and more ducks and ducklings will also be crossing between the 2 ponds and wandering around them, exactly where the BYOB zone is to go.
Perhaps the Park Board intends to fence off this area to keep the wildlife away so that people can drink undisturbed by bothersome creatures? I heard of an off leash dog yesterday rushing through a brood of ducks, separating the mother from its ducklings. My friend and someone else had to search for the ducklings to reunite them with their mother. A couple of ducklings appeared to be missing, although they weren't sure.
If only we could have faith in drinkers behaving well in a sensitive wildlife habitat!
ACTION PLAN: It could make a big difference if as many of you as possible emailed the Park Board Commissioners, Manager and Director of Parks with your concerns about protecting this precious wildlife habitat at Vanier Pond, asking them to reconsider and put it elsewhere. I will also be resending them the petition.
Mail to: PBCommissioners@vancouver.ca,
Park Board Manager: <Donnie.rosa@vancouver.ca>,
Director of Parks: <amit.gandha@vancouver.ca>,
Bill 8 – 2021: Public Safety and Solicitor General Statutes Amendment Act, 2021
Scroll down to -- Part 2 – Liquor Control and Licensing Act Amendments
Liquor Control and Licensing Act
60 Section 73 (2) of the Liquor Control and Licensing Act, S.B.C. 2015, c. 19, is repealed and the following substituted:
(2) Subject to subsection (3) and the regulations, a municipality, a regional district or the Park Board, established under section 485 of the Vancouver Charter, may, by bylaw, designate a public place over which it has jurisdiction, or part of such a place, as a place where liquor may be consumed.
Thank you for your continued support protecting our urban wildlife.
Cheers, Elvira