In recent years, city officials, police, and local businesses have faced a rampant and ongoing problem of bear spray-related crimes that have left residents on edge.

One Burnaby city councillor says a report on a long-awaited bylaw that would regulate the sale and use of bear spray in the city is expected to go before council early next year.

In December 2024, city council directed staff to look into the feasibility of a bear-spray bylaw. A report from the Burnaby RCMP found that between 2019 and 2023, the city had over 400 files where bear spray was used as a weapon, with most of these incidents committed by youth.

Coun. Maita Santiago, vice chair of the city’s Public Safety Committee, says they have been working with police and local businesses on the bylaw.

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