Animal Cruelty Legislation

The fight for Bill S-203, an act to end the captivity of whales, dolphins and porpoises (cetaceans) in Canada, has been a challenging one.

Over the past several months, we’ve heard scores of testimony by animal welfare organizations, including testimony from myself on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies, marine welfare experts and scientists from around the world, all of whom have strongly condemned the captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises, noting that captivity rarely meets their biological, social and behavioural needs and cause them grievous harm.

WATCH: IN COMMITTEE FROM THE SENATE OF CANADA – Fisheries and Oceans – April 11, 2017

http://www.cpac.ca/en/programs/in-committee-from-the-senate-of-canada/episodes/50953718

Note: CFHS testimony begins at 17:10:00

Despite this, critics of Bill S-203 worked diligently two weeks ago to try to halt the approval of this Bill; an action that would have ultimately led to the defeat of Bill S-203.

But, the Canadian public spoke out! We mobilized our members and the public as we led a public campaign encouraging Canadians to write to their Senators, providing suggested content, letting them know that they would not accept the defeat of this Bill and that they would not stand by while the cruel confinement and isolation of cetaceans continued in Canada.

And, thanks to this outpouring of support for Bill S-203, the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans has reinstated the review of this Bill.

While we won’t know the outcome of this review until the Fall, we do know that thanks to Canadians like you, we are one step closer to ending cetacean captivity in Canada.

We will share Bill S-203 updates with you as they arise and we will continue to represent Canadians at the federal level.

In May, the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) received special recognition from the floor of the House of Commons as the voice for animal welfare in Canada.

In honour of 60 years of driving positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals, Member of Parliament Alexandra Mendès, Co-Chair of the Liberal Animal Welfare Working Group, shared a special message congratulating CFHS on our 60th anniversary!

Watch the special message here:

Congrats to CFHS on Our 60th Anniversary

This recognition comes at a time when CFHS is working diligently to ensure Canada’s legislation is updated to better protect animals across Canada.

Already, we’re working alongside Members of Parliament and Senators to discuss the importance of ending marine mammal captivity in Canada, giving expert testimony to the Senate standing committee on April 11, 2017.

Watch our expert testimony here:

CFHS CEO Barbara Cartwright gives witness testimony on Bill S-203

We’re combining forces with our partners at the Body Shop to collectively ban cosmetic testing on animals by allowing consumers to donate their Love Your Body Club points to our vital work and encourage them to sign the Forever Against Animal Testing petition which will be presented to the UN General Assembly in 2018 with a goal of 8 millon signatures.

And, as we mark 150 years since Canada's confederation we are recognizing the significant link between animal violence and human violence.

We initiated the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty to create a cross-sectoral response that will strengthen our community’s abilities to stem the violence and protect the vulnerable.

Our goal is to convene the first National Conference on the link between humane violence and animal violence that will attract more than 200 specialities in the fields of police services, social services, animal protection, municipal enforcement, victim services organization, the federal government and justice services.  The Canadian Violence Link conference will be held in December 2017 in Ottawa. 

We’re working every day to speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, fighting even harder to change these laws to make significant difference for animals in the next generation, and your support is absolutely vital to our success!

Thank you!

Barbara Cartwright

Links:

• Humane News