Kimberley City Council voted unanimously Monday evening to apply for a 48-hour experimental hazing permit.
Coun. Darryl Oakley asked Council to approve the application at their regular meeting this week, calling it a baby step in a long process.
“This is one piece in our management plan,” Oakley said. “We wanted to get to the place where we can do a short trial hazing.”
Oakley says the Urban Deer Committee has been burning the midnight oil this winter and that has included a visit from a professional hazer, who has worked in Banff, Jasper and Waterton.
“This is a professional person who does this, it’s very controlled,” Oakley said. “He toured around town and then gave a presentation to Council. His conclusion was that it was worth applying for a hazing permit.”
Hazing is not currently legal in British Columbia, though it has long been practiced in the National Parks.
“The Ministry may well say it’s illegal and deny us,” Oakley said. “We’re hoping to convince them that this is one piece of our management plan. It’s a trial, under the law it would be an experimental trial certificate. Hopefully they will allow us to try.”