VANCOUVER, B.C. — Vancouver City Council has approved a motion brought forward by Councillor Pete Fry to reaffirm the city’s commitment to bird conservation, proclaim Vancouver Bird Celebration from May 13-31, 2023, and direct staff to reapply for Bird Friendly City certification, following a spirited and at times contentious debate at City Hall.

The motion, titled The Bird is the Word: Elevating Vancouver’s Strategy, was considered by the Standing Committee on City Finance and Services after referral from Council to hear from speakers and allow for further debate. While the core elements of the motion were ultimately adopted unanimously, several substantive policy components were amended and referred to staff for further review.

“Birds are an essential indicator of environmental health, biodiversity, and climate resilience,” said Councillor Pete Fry. “This motion was about ensuring Vancouver continues to take its responsibilities seriously, not just symbolically, but through policy, planning, and accountability.”

As adopted, Council:

• Proclaimed May 13–31, 2023, as Vancouver Bird Celebration, aligning with World Migratory Bird Day and the Greater Vancouver Bird Celebration;
• Directed staff to reapply for Vancouver’s Bird Friendly City certification, which the city risks losing if not renewed; and
• Referred key policy and implementation elements of the Vancouver Bird Strategy and Bird Friendly Design Guidelines to staff for further review as part of the City’s ongoing Permit Improvement Process and Streamlining Regulations work

These referred elements include:

• Bird-friendly building and landscape design guidelines;
• Operational practices in parks and public spaces;
• Integration of bird tourism into regional tourism strategies; and
• Evaluation of how bird-friendly guidelines affect development review and permitting timelines

A Contentious Debate

The meeting included multiple points of order, reflecting sharp disagreement over the scope and framing of the motion. An amendment was introduced to defer several substantive policy commitments to future staff reports, a move opposed by Councillor Fry and others who argued that urgency and clarity were needed given declining bird populations and the imminent risk of losing Bird Friendly City status.

Despite these tensions, Council ultimately voted unanimously in favour of the amended motion.

“In the face of accelerating biodiversity loss, delay comes with consequences,” Fry added. “Still, I’m encouraged that Council reaffirmed its commitment to bird conservation and recognized the importance of maintaining our Bird Friendly City standing.”

Vancouver lies along the Pacific Flyway and is home to more than 250 bird species. In the last 50 years, North American bird populations have declined by more than 25 percent. Building collisions, habitat loss, climate change, and light pollution remain major threats in urban environments.

Vancouver was one of the first Canadian cities to adopt a comprehensive Bird Strategy and to receive Bird Friendly City certification. The motion ensures those efforts continue, while signaling that future decisions on implementation and regulation are still to come.