Get the Top, Local stories delivered to your inbox! Click here to join the daily Vernon Matters newsletter.
By Duane Grandbois

Public Consultation Begins on New Species at Risk Legislation

Apr 29, 2018 | 9:42 AM

The Government of British Columbia has begun a three-stage approach to gathering feedback that will inform policy development for new species at risk legislation.

Currently, the Province has 231 species listed under the federal Species at Risk Act. While there are protection measures for some species under the current provincial regulations, there is no comprehensive legislation for the protection of species at risk.

Phase 1 will consist of a series of one-to-one conversations with key stakeholder groups, online discussions with members of the public and regional engagements with Indigenous communities.

Phase 2 is a collaborative, multi-day workshop with key stakeholders in spring 2018.

Phase 3 will be an intentions paper, issued for public comment in the fall of 2018, that will outline specific details of B.C.’s proposed species at risk legislation.

Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
1h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
17h ago
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
18h ago

Species at risk legislation will fulfill the Province’s commitment to reduce adverse impacts on B.C.’s most vulnerable species. The legislation will establish a clear process for protecting species at risk, to meet obligations under the Canada-British Columbia Agreement on Species at Risk, as well as provide increased certainty for those operating on B.C.’s land base.

The engagement and consultation will occur concurrently between Indigenous groups, stakeholders and the public.

Learn More:

Members of the public can have their say at: www.engage.gov.bc.ca/bcspeciesatrisk

by Duane Grandbois

Other Matters

Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
The housing construction sector saw another decline in June.Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported 13 housing starts in Greater Vernon this June.That was down from the 19 housing starts in May, and from the 22 starts recorded in June of 2025.As of the end of June, there had been 88 housing projects sta...
1h ago
Read More
Unfinished business
Okanagan Sun begin title chase
The Okanagan Sun kick off the 2026 BCFC season this Saturday with a trip to Vancouver Island to take on the Nanaimo Raiders.The Sun are the two-time defending BCFC champions, and head coach Travis Miller says a big reason for that success is the experience returning to the lineup."We are returning a lot of veteran...
14h ago
Read More
new blaze
Wildfire in forest west of Highway 33
A wildfire west of Highway 33 and south of Myra-Bellevue Park Thursday afternoon has grown to about one hectare in size.BC Wildfire Service sent three helicopters and 16 firefighters to the Dale Creek area as part of an initial attack response. The red dot at the lower right corner shows the location of the wildfire. (...
15h ago
Read More
"I Voted"
Kelowna residents invited to design city's next election sticker
Kelowna residents are being asked to put their creativity to work ahead of this fall's municipal election by designing the city's next "I Voted" sticker.The City of Kelowna is inviting students, artists, designers and community members of all ages to submit original sticker designs that could be handed out at...
16h ago
Read More
Victim found in 80 metres of water
Drowning on Okanagan Lake
A tragic end to the search for a 45-year-old man presumed drowned on Okanagan Lake.The man went missing Saturday while being towed behind a boat on an inflatable tube.Police say he was not wearing a personal flotation device when he entered the water.The RCMP Underwater Recovery Team located and recovered his body Thur...
17h ago
Read More
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
With a heat wave coming to the Okanagan Valley, B.C.'s worker protection advocates remind employers that they must protect their workers.WorkSafeBC said employers must safeguard workers from the risks associated with heat and solar ultraviolet exposure."Elevated temperatures increase the risk of heat stress and he...
17h ago
Read More
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
The City of Vernon is urging people to be safe and stay cool as a heat wave makes its way into the Okanagan Valley.With temperatures set to reach the mid- to high 30s in the Okanagan Valley, the City of Vernon said it would be opening cooling centres at Kal Tire Place, the Vernon Museum and Archives, the library, and c...
18h ago
Read More
Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded
Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby
A man faces potential charges after being found asleep behind the wheel with a weapon in the vehicle.At around 8 p.m. Wednesday, July 15, RCMP received reports of a man asleep behind the wheel of a vehicle in Lumby.Police attended the scene at the intersection of Birch Road and Mable Lake Road, and upon approaching, th...
19h ago
Read More
Severe Drought Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for fifth week
Severe drought conditions persist through the Okanagan and surrounding regions.The B.C. River Forecast Centre ranked the Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for the fifth straight week Thursday, July 16.The ranking indicated severely dry conditions that were impacting stream flows and water temperatures, posing a risk to fish ...
19h ago
Read More

What Matters

Housing Starts
Local housing construction declined in June, down for year so far
1h ago
Employee Safety
Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC
17h ago
mid- to high 30s
Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan
18h ago
Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded
Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby
19h ago
Severe Drought Conditions
Okanagan at Drought Level 4 for fifth week
19h ago