Hikers looking for protection against unfriendly wildlife are going to have some extra hoops to jump through in Manitoba.
The province has announced tighter regulations around the sale of bear spray following an uptick in assaults involving the product. Under the new rules, vendors who sell bear repellent will be required to ask for photo ID and get information on how the buyer intends to use the product.
“Vendors will be required to verify a purchaser’s identification against government-issued identification, and submit this information to the Manitoba government,” an April 13 media release stated. “In addition, vendors must also register the serial numbers for any sale of more than two cans.”
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Anyone selling bear spray is already required to hold a pesticide dealers licence and keep a record of all sold commercial and restricted products under the Pesticides and Fertilizers Control Act. All products with capsaicin, the substance that causes the burning sensation of bear spray, come with an additional form recording the buyer’s name, contact information, what was bought and how much.
“Bear repellent is increasingly being used as a weapon and a number of recent assaults highlight the urgent need to make changes in the interest of public safety,” Manitoba Justice Minister Kelvin Goertzen said.
“Requiring photo identification and validated contact information at the point of purchase will deter people from using bear spray illegally, but not prohibit legal purchases. It will also assist with tracing in the event of an incident.”
In September 2022, Goertzen cited concerns about the number of bear spray attacks reported by the Winnipeg Police Service. Police at the time had reported a record number of assaults using bear spray and said they expected the number to be 40 per cent higher than in the previous year.
At that time, Goertzen asked the federal government to consider tightening the Criminal Code so that anyone charged with using bear spray in an assault would find it harder to make bail.
The province’s announcement comes days after three assaults involved bear spray in Winnipeg’s St. Vital area on April 10. The next day, it was also used in a robbery at Brandon’s Shoppers Mall, where several employees were sprayed and the mall was evacuated.
The province is asking the federal government to follow suit and tighten rules for buying bear spray.
Manitoba will also consider a change to the age requirement for buying the product, Goertzen said.
