Burnaby city council to look at tougher bear spray regulations

Burnaby city council could make it tougher for people to buy bear spray in their city.

Civic politicians are set to ask staff to look into ways to regulate it.

They point to a recent committee meeting where the RCMP shared that there’s been an increase in the number of incidents such as robberies where bear spray is being used.

Mounties said that Chilliwack was having similar problems until it brought in restrictions on the sale of bear spray.

The possibility of tougher regulations comes as Vancouver restricted the sale of bear spray in that city in 2023.

Vancouver’s bylaw, passed unanimously by council, requires sellers to keep detailed records of all sales for a 12-month period. It also says sellers must keep bear spray locked up, request ID from anyone who buys the products, and prohibits the sale of bear spray to anyone under the age of 19.

Across the country, the Albertan cities of Calgary and Edmonton have also brought in, or are looking at, restricting sales of bear spray in their own jurisdictions.

Burnaby council will discuss the issue Monday night.