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Is This the Parliament that Will Finally Take a Stance on Animal Welfare?

During the election campaign the CFHS approached all five major political parties about their stance on a variety of matters related to animal welfare. Having reviewed these responses from every party, except the Conservatives who failed to respond, it was apparent that at least the opposition parties recognize the need to revamp our country’s stance on animal welfare.

With the October 14th election now behind us, and the Conservatives victorious, Canadians look forward to learning what issues and challenges the government plans to address when Prime Minister Stephen Harper delivers his upcoming throne speech and outlines a fresh mandate. The dominant election issues of the economy and the environment are most likely to be addressed, but the CFHS is waiting to see if Canada’s 40th Parliament will finally take a stance on animal welfare. In the past, Members of Parliament have repeatedly brought substantial legislation to the House of Commons, only to have it lost because of parliamentary procedure and political gamesmanship. Meanwhile, Canada is being completely overshadowed by countries around the world, who are taking a progressive action on animal welfare.

When parliament resumes, we must push to make Canada a model for how we legislate and regulate the way Canadians treat farmed, wild and companion animals, instead of the embarrassment that we have been for far too long.