Manitoba announces elimination of all retail bear spray restrictions

The Manitoba government is introducing regulatory changes to require retailers who sell bear repellent to obtain photo identification and validate customer information before sales can be completed.
 
Under the new regulations, purchasers will now be required to provide photo identification and specify the intended use of the product. Vendors will be required to verify a purchaser’s identification against government-issued identification and submit this information to the Manitoba government. In addition, vendors must also register the serial numbers for any sale of more than two cans.
 
In recent months, RCC has had conversations with officials regarding the growing use of bear repellent as a weapon in Manitoba stores, and government is now responding to this broader public safety concern, following several recent criminal incidents as a way of deterring the illegal use of this product.