It's time. We're banning the grizzly bear trophy hunt across BC.

Banning the trophy hunt for grizzly bears was one of the first promises we made during the past election campaign. Today, our government is making good on it.

Effective Nov. 30, 2017, the BC NDP-led government will end grizzly bear trophy hunting throughout the province. It will also stop all hunting of grizzly bears in the Great Bear Rainforest.

“By bringing trophy hunting of grizzlies to an end, we’re delivering on our commitment to British Columbians,” said Doug Donaldson, Minister of Forests, Lands, Natural Resource Operations and Rural Development. “This action is supported by the vast majority of people across our province. In particular, we owe it to generations past and future to do all we can to protect the beauty and uniqueness of the Great Bear Rainforest."

Since the BC NDP announced our plan to end the grizzly bear trophy hunt last year, more than 10,000 people pledged their support for it.

For years before that, people have signed petitions, held rallies and led campaigns calling for an end to the unnecessary and outdated practice of grizzly bear trophy hunting. We're proud to see the BC NDP government turn all of those calls for action into policy and protect British Columbia's grizzly bears. Even moreso, we're proud to say this: political activism works. Thanks to everyone who pushed us to take on this issue and end the trophy hunt of grizzly bears in BC once and for all.

Going forward, there's still more to be done.

During the fall months, Donaldson said that the BC NDP government will consult with First Nations and stakeholder groups to determine next steps and mechanisms as B.C. moves toward ending the trophy hunt. At the same time, the BC NDP government will be moving forward with a broader consultation process on a renewed wildlife management strategy for the province.