Animal Cruelty Legislation

2 bills are currently before Canada’s Senate that promise to dramatically improve the lives of animals in our country and on both bills we are pleased to say we’ve seen some movement.

Bill S-203 which aims to ban the captivity of whales and dolphins had a major win earlier this fall in the Senate of Canada! After threatening to quietly kill the bill, the Senate Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans  moved ahead with this important legislation.  The Bill would give these deep-diving, intelligent and social creatures the freedom they deserve by banning import, export, public display, live capture and captive breeding in Canada.

Canadians have made it clear that we want and need to end the cruel practice of whale and dolphin captivity, and the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies is taking the lead in getting us there. We supported Senator Wilfred Moore in drafting and launching this bill, we witnessed at the Senate in support of this Bill, and we will work hard to ensure it passes when it goes before the full Senate in the coming weeks. It will not be an easy swim to freedom, and we need your support to keep working toward freedom for these majestic animals. Every day that we wait to pass this bill means that these animals will not be truly free.

Bill S-214 promises to end cosmetic testing on animals.  The Senate Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology invited the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies to witness at the hearing on Bill S-214 this fall which aims to end cosmetic testing on animals in Canada.

CFHS works to restrict the use of animals to those areas of research, testing and teaching that do not jeopardize their physical, mental or emotional well-being. CFHS looks forward to the time when animal use in research, testing and teaching becomes obsolete or unnecessary. 

While there is progress, we can’t be complacent. There are vocal opponents to these protections for whales and dolphins and animals used in research.  Your donation will allow us to keep the pressure on and have these bills passed by the full Senate and moved on to the House of Commons where we know there will be a major challenge.

As the national organization representing Humane Societies and SPCA's in Canada CFHS is the respected voice for animal welfare in Canada. This would not be possible without your donation to our work!

Even with these wins, we are only halfway to the finish line.