RCMP investigate Kelowna CFIA office vandalism following ostrich cull

The Kelowna office of the Canadian Food Inspection Agency was vandalized over the weekend after the ostrich cull and now the RCMP is investigating. 

Police received a report about the vandalism at Bredin Road around 3 p.m. on Nov. 9, according to a press release from police. 

The office was egged and someone wrote words in feces smeared all over the front of the office, but the mess was cleaned up and the office reopened by this morning, Nov. 10. 

“Police are investigating this incident,” Cpl. Allison Konsmo said in the release.  “Our teams are canvassing the area, collecting video surveillance and attempting to identify the suspects.  No other details can be released at this time to keep the integrity of the investigation.” 

There is a surveillance camera at the front of the CFIA office. 

The vandalism happened after the agency culled more than 300 ostriches due to an avian flu outbreak at the Universal Ostrich Farm in Edgewood, B.C. 

CFIA employees have been dealing with harassment and death threats because of outrage over the ostriches. 

The door to the CFIA Kelowna office has a sign that says “district offices are not involved in the day-to-day response to avian influenza. . . If you have comments or questions about the ostrich farm, the best way to provide those to the CFIA is online.”

The CFIA said this is another example of the harassment its employees have been subjected to.

“The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has an ongoing investigation into threats against businesses that are involved or believed to be involved with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency’s (CFIA) disease response at the ostrich farm. CFIA employees have also been the target of harassment and threats. When required, individual threats are referred to the appropriate police authority for follow-up,” CFIA said in an email. 

“The CFIA is taking all reasonable steps to protect and support our employees who provide critical services in support of our legislative mandate to protect food safety, animal and plant health.”

Anyone with information about the vandalism has been asked to contact Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300 and reference the file number 2025-67770. Tips can also be given anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or online.