Goose family by the waters edge (Photo 77268048 © Andrew Howson | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Vernon still awaiting permit approval

Advocacy group cries foul on goose cull decision

May 12, 2021 | 2:50 PM

Toronto based Animal Alliance of Canada has released details from a Freedom of Information (FOI) request to the City of Vernon regarding the decision-making process leading to the approval of a culling non-resident Canada Geese.

The group says the FOI that the city provided gives little explanation for how a motion to cull 100-150 geese passed in January 2021 after being defeated in February 2020, following two in-camera meetings.

“The 200 page FOI request outlines a variety of reports from staff and other agencies, including Animal Alliance’s own 61 page Habitat Modification and Canada Geese manual, but no serious consideration is given to habitat modification items or the lives of the geese,” a news release stated.

The group sent the manual to all members of council last year and did not receive a reply from a single councillor. It was resent recently and the group indicates it did receive acknowledgement of the document from a couple of councillors.

“Culling will just create a vacuum for more geese to take their place and they will end up in annual cycle of complaints and more killing. The city has an opportunity to show other municipalities in B.C. how to cohabitate with geese. With a bit of effort, Vernon residents can enjoy long-term benefits and council won’t have to get their hands bloodied. We are prepared to help,”Jordan Reichert, West Coast Campaigner with the Animal Alliance, said.

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Geese in Vernon are to be rounded up during their molting season, when they cannot fly, and be euthanized.

“It is gut-wrenching to think that these iconic birds will be rounded up with their families when they are most vulnerable and killed in front of each other for hours. All because of their inconvenience to people and a lack of political will to take non-lethal long-term conflict-mitigation seriously,” Reichert said.

The group has an online campaign encouraging emails or letters to members of Vernon council.

A report titled “Okanagan’s flawed Canada goose management plan won’t resolve community concerns with geese,” authored for the group has also been sent to the mayor and councillors.

“The city’s goose control contractor has completed the goose management plan and has submitted it to the provincial and federal governments, along with all other applicable permit applications in order to complete the goose cull. The city has not yet received approval on those applications,” Christy Poirier, Manager of Communications and Grants, told Vernon Matters.

As for the Animal Alliance’s comments, Poirier said council received a report in February 2020 that outlined several potential goose management strategies.

“At that time, council carefully reviewed each of the options and had a considerable amount of discussion and debate. Council then directed Administration to expand the egg addling program for one year, increasing the 2020 budget by $15,000. “At the January 25, 2021 Regular Open meeting, a councillor presented a Notice of Motion related to a geese cull, at which time administration was directed to apply for the necessary permits required to initiate a cull program to humanely reduce the non-migratory resident Canada Goose population within Vernon City Limits. The program must follow strict federal and provincial regulations,” Poirier stated.