Not all permits are the same
We share this land not only with native wildlife but also with the Indigenous peoples that reside here. But more than this, the deer around Kimberly, BC don’t belong to the people living in Kimberly, BC. Nor do the deer living in Oak Bay belong to the people of Oak Bay. Wildlife is regulated by and actually belong to all the people of British Columbia—not the people amongst which they happen to reside. So then how do we strike balance between the needs of landowners, wildlife, and the First Nations that all coexist here?
Firstly, we need to find a management strategy that is scientifically sound and endorsed by the Province of BC. That means that each and every management plan needs to pass scientific review at the municipal and provincial level. Without provincial approval, no management action can take place. These decisions cannot be made by a municipality for their residents alone, because wildlife does not belong to the municipality.
Secondly, we need to balance diverse perspectives on the value of wildlife both within and outside of urban settings. All perspectives have value, from those that would like to see deer removed from an urban setting through to those that feel that we must coexist with native species within their indigenous habitats. These are the diverse perspectives of landowners, renters, professionals, stay-at-home parents, island-born, immigrants, community groups, NGOs and the First Nations whose
The Songhees First Nation claims Oak Bay as part of their traditional territory, and so any management plan needs to have their explicit consent and support before the Province will agree to grant a permit. In the spirit of Reconciliation, we fully support the partnership with the Songhees First Nation and are conducting this research with their support. As peoples who have inhabited these lands for thousands of years, and who have coexisted with indigenous wildlife for the entirety of their history, it is understandable that they are opposed to a cull on their traditional lands.
Since no management permit can be issued without the support of the Province and First Nations, we are working to find solutions for management that satisfy the requirements of all the peoples of Greater Victoria. That means accepting that a cull is not a plausible management solution, and moving ahead with other non-lethal means of control that balance the needs of all us.