"The public is invited to comment on the proposed firearm restrictions described below.
Status: Proposed
Region: Province-wide
Management unit (MU): Province-wide
Regulation type: Firearm restrictions
Species: All
Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT
Current regulation:
The use of lead shot for hunting migratory game birds is prohibited throughout Canada. There are currently no bans on the use of lead shot to hunt other species in B.C.
Proposed regulation:
Prohibit the use of lead shot for hunting any species in B.C. This regulation does not propose to restrict the use of lead shot for purposes other than hunting (i.e target practice, skeet shooting, etc.).
Rationale:
Shot is legally defined as a cartridge manufactured so that it contains 8 or more roughly spherical projectiles. This type of ammunition is commonly used to hunt small game and upland game birds.
Lead shot has been banned for hunting waterfowl in B.C. since 1995 and in Canada since 1997. The ban applies to hunting ducks, geese, coots and snipe. The use of lead shot is still permitted for hunting other wildlife.
Lead poisoning from spent ammunition has been a well-documented issue for wildlife, particularly birds. Research shows that restrictions on the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl and coots in North America have significantly reduced lead exposure and poisoning in these species.
Despite existing restrictions, waterfowl, raptors and other scavengers continue to be exposed to lead when they feed on animals that contain lead shot or fragments.
When animals swallow lead, stomach acids dissolve it, allowing lead to enter the bloodstream and tissues, which can cause serious illness or death. Studies suggest that lead exposure can have long-term impacts on birds of prey, particularly scavenging raptors which mature slowly and have low reproduction rates, making their populations especially vulnerable. Birds of prey and other predators can also be poisoned when they feed on waterfowl that were sick, dead, or crippled by lead shots embedded in their tissues.
Several other jurisdictions have implemented similar restrictions on the use of lead shot ammunition. California has banned the use of all lead ammunition, and Denmark and the Netherlands have banned the use of all lead shot ammunition. Some other U.S. states have restrictions on the use of lead shot.
Federal regulations currently allow the following non-toxic shot types for hunting waterfowl, coot and snipe: steel shot, bismuth shot, tungsten-iron shot, tungsten-bronze-iron shot, tin shot, tungsten-matrix shot, and tungsten.
Most manufacturers have developed non-toxic ammunition that can be used safely in all modern shotguns. A cost analysis comparing prices at major retailers showed that non-toxic ammunition costs roughly 10 cents more per cartridge than lead shot ammunition. "
Have your say: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026WLRS0002-000023
Status: Proposed
Region: Province-wide
Management unit (MU): Province-wide
Regulation type: Firearm restrictions
Species: All
Closing date: February 13, 2026 at 4:30 pm PT
Current regulation:
The use of lead shot for hunting migratory game birds is prohibited throughout Canada. There are currently no bans on the use of lead shot to hunt other species in B.C.
Proposed regulation:
Prohibit the use of lead shot for hunting any species in B.C. This regulation does not propose to restrict the use of lead shot for purposes other than hunting (i.e target practice, skeet shooting, etc.).
Rationale:
Shot is legally defined as a cartridge manufactured so that it contains 8 or more roughly spherical projectiles. This type of ammunition is commonly used to hunt small game and upland game birds.
Lead shot has been banned for hunting waterfowl in B.C. since 1995 and in Canada since 1997. The ban applies to hunting ducks, geese, coots and snipe. The use of lead shot is still permitted for hunting other wildlife.
Lead poisoning from spent ammunition has been a well-documented issue for wildlife, particularly birds. Research shows that restrictions on the use of lead shot for hunting waterfowl and coots in North America have significantly reduced lead exposure and poisoning in these species.
Despite existing restrictions, waterfowl, raptors and other scavengers continue to be exposed to lead when they feed on animals that contain lead shot or fragments.
When animals swallow lead, stomach acids dissolve it, allowing lead to enter the bloodstream and tissues, which can cause serious illness or death. Studies suggest that lead exposure can have long-term impacts on birds of prey, particularly scavenging raptors which mature slowly and have low reproduction rates, making their populations especially vulnerable. Birds of prey and other predators can also be poisoned when they feed on waterfowl that were sick, dead, or crippled by lead shots embedded in their tissues.
Several other jurisdictions have implemented similar restrictions on the use of lead shot ammunition. California has banned the use of all lead ammunition, and Denmark and the Netherlands have banned the use of all lead shot ammunition. Some other U.S. states have restrictions on the use of lead shot.
Federal regulations currently allow the following non-toxic shot types for hunting waterfowl, coot and snipe: steel shot, bismuth shot, tungsten-iron shot, tungsten-bronze-iron shot, tin shot, tungsten-matrix shot, and tungsten.
Most manufacturers have developed non-toxic ammunition that can be used safely in all modern shotguns. A cost analysis comparing prices at major retailers showed that non-toxic ammunition costs roughly 10 cents more per cartridge than lead shot ammunition. "
Have your say: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2026WLRS0002-000023
