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LETTER: Hit residents not bear aware where it hurts: their wallets

Open letter to MLA Jane Thornthwaite: Re: Bear forum at Parkgate Community Centre , March 27. Thank you for hosting the discussion last evening with the conservation officers. We think there were some really good discussions.

Open letter to MLA Jane Thornthwaite:

Re: Bear forum at Parkgate Community Centre, March 27.

Thank you for hosting the discussion last evening with the conservation officers. We think there were some really good discussions.

Hopefully, both the government, including the minister of the environment, the B.C. Conservation Officer Service and the District of North Vancouver will take the concerns and comments seriously, and act upon the suggestions they were given, especially concerning transparency, holding homeowners responsible for bear attractants, and more sharing of information with Christine (Miller, of the North Shore Black Bear Society) so that fewer bears are killed.

I did speak with one of the gentlemen afterwards and suggested that there is a lot to be gained from considering language such as “dangerous bears” and “bear conflicts.” As has been the issue between yourself and ourselves, I believe that a more honest language should be used. In every single case of conflicts between humans and bears, the conflict could have been avoided if the humans involved were more responsible and if not responsible, then heavily fined or even time behind bars if they don’t get the message.

We cannot continue to see our wildlife as pests or as dispensable and unless people are led out of these attitudes they will never learn to live with the wildlife. As long as a government promotes the killing of wildlife for kicks or for trophies, there will be those that think this is a green light to abuse and kill animals.

Thank you again.

Trish and Eric Boyum
North Vancouver

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