Bear in Mind...
- Bear Smart Team
- 5 hours ago
- 2 min read
Changes to Waste Collection Now in Effect
Lions Bay Council has adopted amendments to the Garbage and Recycling Collection Bylaw with three changes made.
Residents who cannot comply with curbside pick-up time slots or drop off times at the Works Yard may now use approved bear-resistant, clip-lock style garbage/food waste carts purchased from the Village to put their waste out from 7 a.m. on collection day.
However, the goal is that approved time slots will continue to be the norm, because limiting time at the curb has been very successful in restricting access to attractants by bears and other wildlife on garbage days. At one point, this was a common occurrence but now instances are rare.
The other changes are that time slots are now in place year-round to avoid confusion, and that the maximum fine has been reduced to $500.
Councillor Neville Abbott, the Council liaison for the Bear Smart committee, says that essentially nothing has changed for most residents who routinely comply with the time slots or make use of the Works Yard drop-off option.
"People care deeply for our bears, and the vast majority are willing to go the extra mile if it keeps them out of trouble," he added. "It speaks volumes about our community.”
Waste collection time slots were piloted in Lions Bay in 2022 in response to a province-wide spike in bear activity. They were included in the bylaw in 2023 at the request of bylaw officers so that they could be enforced. At the time, Bylaw Officers also recommended they be in place year round, which has now been implemented. Waste Control Services have worked with the municipality to ensure no additional costs are incurred due to the time slots.
“Until now we haven’t had bears around in winter,” said Abbott “but if food is available, we may find ourselves in the same predicament as other communities who now see bears year round.”
Residents are reminded that clip-lock carts are bear-resistant and must, as always, be stored in an enclosure that is inaccessible to wildlife in accordance with the bylaw until collection day.
BC Conservation Officer Services (BCCOS) recently announced that 211 black bears were killed by their officers in 2025, the lowest number in more than 10 years. In a CTV News report, BCCOS Inspector Drew Milne attributed the decrease to several factors including work being done by municipalities across BC to better manage attractants.
“[In] every community that really adopts a strong bylaw, you’re going to see a reduction in the amount of conflicts,” said Milne.
More information about Lions Bay Bear Smart can be found HERE.
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