Bear Essentials

Garbage and green waste carts are the #1 attractant for bears.

To prevent conflicts with bears:

Secure your garbage and green waste carts in a bear-resistant solid waste enclosure, like your closed garage, until pickup day. If you do not have a secure garage, below are examples of enclosures you can buy or build yourself. All of these must be anchored to the ground in order to stop bears. 

• The Haul-All Hid-A-Cart can store a 240 L garbage or organic cart and can be purchased locally.
• The BearSaver Bearier can store a 240 L garbage or organic cart. 
• You can also build one. There are three designs: two cans, single can – slated, and single can – enclosed from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. These sheds are allowed under our Zoning Bylaw.

To avoid a fine:

Leaving waste carts unlocked on non-collection days and setting carts out for collection too early are bylaw violations. If you don’t manage your garbage and other wildlife attractants properly, you could be fined up to $1,000 by the City. 

• Store your garbage and green waste carts securely with bear clips locked until collection day.

• Unlock your carts only when you put them out for collection.

• Place your carts at your pick-up spot on collection day between the hours of 5:30am and 7:30am only.
• Bring them back inside after 8:00 p.m.

• Use bird feeders only in the winter
• Don't let seed spill onto the ground
• Suspend them out of reach of bears
• Avoid using them altogether if bears visit your yard frequently

• Avoid planting species that attract bears. See our Preferred Plant List.
• Pick fruit as soon as it ripens. Contact a local fruit-gleaning group for help.
• Pick up any fallen fruit daily. 
• Store all harvested fruit securely indoors.
• Contact WildSafe BC and Environmental Services at 604-469-4574 for more information.

• Clean barbeque grill, and remove and empty grease trap after each use.
• Cover and store barbeque in a bear-resistant enclosure, such as a secure garage.

• Remain calm and back away slowly. Talk to it in a quiet, monotone voice.
• Never run away. Do not scream, turn your back on it, kneel down or make direct eye contact.

If it approaches or follows you:

• Stand your ground and become aggressive, using a loud, firm voice yell "Hey bear – you’d better back off!"
• Make yourself look bigger by raising your arms and jacket.
• Back away only when the bear stops its approach.

If it continues getting closer:

• Get your bear spray out of the holster and into your hand. Remove the safety latch.

If a bear charges you:

• Use your bear spray once it gets within 10 meters of you. Watch this short video to learn how to use bear spray. Never use it like bug spray.

Once it is safe to do so, call 1-877-952-7277 

If you look out the window and there’s a black bear nosing around your bird feeder or trash, or investigating something that looks or smells interesting.

• Discourage the bear. From an open window or a safe place on your porch or deck make loud noises, shout, or bang pots and pans together to scare away the bear. Teaching bears it’s OK to hang around homes almost always leads to problems for both people and bears. So don’t offer food or encourage it to stay so you can watch and take photos.
• When the bear leaves, remove potential attractants such as garbage, bird seed, or pet food.
• Tell neighbours and ask them to remove attractants.
• Report it to 1-877-952-7277