Re: “Theft of traps thwarts Oak Bay deer cull plan,” June 24.
The Ministry of Forests, Lands and Natural Resources in a letter to me stated that by working closely with communities, it has established a robust approach to urban deer public safety risks, including a suite of tools: education, signs, bylaw development, planning and consultation, monitoring and (if required) deer population reductions. I understand “if required” means when all other avenues have been exhausted.
The Oak Bay council has introduced stricter feeding bylaws, higher fence regulations and some public education via pamphlets from the Capital Regional District, yet has been reluctant to do anything about signs, especially on Cadboro Bay Road where the deer-vehicle incidents are the highest. This is contrary to what is stated in the article.
From my understanding, the number of complaints from deer destroying gardens is minimal. It is the motor vehicle incidents that are the problem. The mayor told me on two occasions that if we could reduce the traffic accidents, there would be no cull.
Now that provincial traps are not available, the mayor is considering wasting tax dollars so that Oak Bay can make its own? And with CRD funding, council will have to decide whether to proceed on its own or appeal to the CRD to continue the project.
Why is this mayor so determined to go ahead with a cull when all of these conditions have not been met?
William Jesse
Oak Bay
