In a report heading to council next week, city administration is seeking to limit the sale of Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray — also known as bear spray — to people age 18 and older. In addition would be a number of changes that would require sellers of OC spray in Edmontonto record details of sales, such as the serial number of a product, brand name, quantity sold, date and time of the sale and the employee’s name or ID number.r.

Edmonton police chief Dale McFee supports the idea of adding accountability to those who carry the product, saying bear spray is one of the “most-used weapons out there.” McFee would also like police to have the power to seize bear spray, which would require it to be classified as a prohibited weapon.

In 2023, EPS said there were 3,320 instances involving Oleoresin Capsicum (OC) spray (bear spray) in the city. Information from police shows that the majority of incidents involving OC spray are happening near bus stops and LRT stations. About 46 per cent of incidents are happening within 400 metres of a school, according to police.