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Animal cruelty still not a government priority?

Sunday, October 20, 2002

Ottawa – The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies (CFHS) is ticked off about the recent actions of the Senate regarding Bill C-10. This Bill, which has been in the works for three years, contains amendments to the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code and to the Firearms Act. On Wednesday, after passing the Bill through Second Reading and referring it to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee, the Senate passed a motion instructing the Committee to split the Bill into the two parts.

“The decision taken by the Senate earlier this week will further delay this important piece of legislation and cause more animals to suffer unnecessarily,” stated a frustrated Robert Van Tongerloo, CEO of the CFHS. “These long-overdue amendments to Canada’s animal cruelty laws have been the subject of much ridiculous and misinformed debate in the House and now in the Senate.”

The government had previously promised to pass Bill C-10 before the end of the year. It is now unlikely that the animal cruelty portion will pass this year and may, in fact, be weakened by rumoured amendments. Mr. Van Tongerloo categorically stated that the CFHS will not accept any further amendments to the Bill. “On behalf of our member humane societies and their 400,000 supporters, we will hit the roof if the Senate proposes to weaken the bill with more amendments. We have supported the government on this Bill every step of the way but we have drawn the line and will vehemently oppose any further changes.”

Mr. Van Tongerloo added: “Bill C-10 is sound, reasonable, and will provide increased protection for animals without removing ANY legal protection for animal use industries.”

The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies represents more than 100 humane societies and SPCAs across Canada in its work to promote compassion and humane treatment for all animals.

For more information, please contact:

Tanya O’Callaghan, Communications Coordinator
T: (613) 224-8072
tanyao@cfhs.ca

or

Shelagh MacDonald, Program Director
T: (613) 224-8072
shelaghm@cfhs.ca

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