PIJAC Update

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Update! Update! Update!

To: PIJAC Canada members, local and provincial bird, reptile and aquarium
clubs, owners of exotic pets, pet hobbyists and all other British Columbia
pet industry players.

From: PIJAC Canada and PIJAC Canada (British Columbia)

Subject: Changes to the British Columbia Wildlife Act.
Presentation of Bill-29, Environmental (Species and Public
Protection) Statutes Amendment Act, to the BC Legislature.

Bill 29

Minister Penner introduced Bill 29 to the BC legislature on Wednesday April 16th. This
document is described as an “Enabling Legislation”. With this Bill the government
introduces the notion of “controlled alien species” and enables the Minister to deal with
these species by regulation.
.
Such regulations are not part of the Bill 29 text. They will take time to create. The
government intends to consult various stakeholder groups and organizations before
writing such a regulation. PIJAC Canada is one of the organizations the government will
be looking to consult on this very important matter. Bill 29 is expected to receive Royal
Assent and become law.

Future Proposed Regulation

PIJAC Canada has already contacted officials from the British Columbia Ministry of the
Environment. They informed us that what they are presently looking at a three tier
approach to the issue of controlled alien species, that would be described as follows: Tier
1: A list of Prohibited animals; Tier 2: Restricted animals; Tier 3: Monitored animals.
Tier 1 Prohibited animals. This list would follow closely the PIJAC Canada list of
prohibited animals. For example, venomous snakes, tigers, non-human primates would be
some of the species appearing on this list.
Tier 2 Restricted animals. This category will include animals that still may
pose a threat to public health, public safety, wildlife and their habitat.
Ownership of these animals will most likely be managed through a permit
system or by regulation
Tier 3 Controlled animals: This category of animals would not require a permit but the
owner would have to declare ownership of this animal. The purpose of this activity would
be to get a clearer picture of what species are found in the province. Some of the species
found in the pet trade would fall in this category.

Next Steps
• PIJAC Canada and PIJAC Canada (British Columbia) will maintain our
involvement in this issue by taking part in the consultation process with the BC
government.
• We will keep our membership informed of all new developments pertinent to this
very important issue.
• If you haven’t already done so, please take the time to join PIJAC Canada, the
voice of the Canadian pet industry. There is strength in numbers and we need you
to add your voice to ours. For more information please visit our website:
www.pijaccanada.com or contact us via email at information@pijaccanada.com

Jacynthe Lacroix
PIJAC Canada
Member Services Coordinator
memberservices@pijaccanada.com
1-800-667-7452