As Canadians prepare to head to the polls on April 28, the BC SPCA is reminding federal parties and candidates of the value and importance Canadians place on animal welfare. In fact, almost 80 percent of British Columbians agree that laws and policies should reflect the connection between human and animal welfare, as well as environmental integrity.* The BC SPCA believes that more action to protect animals, people and the ecosystems would help us thrive as a country.
“Canadians care deeply about the animals we share our lives and communities with, but there are many areas right now where we are falling behind as a nation” explains Kaila Wolf, senior director, media and internal communications with the BC SPCA. “We need to recognize that our well-being is connected to the health and welfare of animals and take action to better protect them.”
While Canadian politicians and parties are considering many significant issues, including tariffs, taxes and trade, the treatment of wild, companion and farmed animals in Canada must remain a priority for our country’s next government.
During the last session of Parliament, significant advances were made towards a more humane Canada, most notably a ban on cosmetic animal testing and the beginning of a phase-out for cruel, and often unnecessary, toxicity testing on animals. Other important legislation that would have finally ended the captivity of elephants and great apes, the torturous export of live horses for slaughter overseas, and the inhumane farming of wild animals for their fur was introduced and progressing through the House of Commons and the Senate. Sadly, these critical efforts were lost when the election was called.
The BC SPCA is encouraging voters to tell election candidates we expect more action for animals by our next federal government. Specifically, the BC SPCA is calling for political parties to commit to:
- Updating the Criminal Code to recognize animals as sentient beings, capable of being victims of crime, and making animal cruelty and neglect a crime even if it wasn’t “wilful”
- Ending the live export of horses by air for slaughter overseas
- Expanding B.C.’s mink farm ban to prohibit fur farms across Canada
“Elections are a critical time for animal welfare advocacy”, says Sarah Herring, the BC SPCA’s government relations officer. “Parties and candidates are actively listening to what voters want, and caring Canadians need to speak up so animal welfare doesn’t get lost amid all the other election issues.”
Canadians can help advocate for a more humane country for all animals by writing to their election candidates using our pre-written email template, and by engaging with candidates on doorsteps, at community events and during candidate debates.
*Strategic Communications Inc. poll conducted for the BC SPCA May 14-17, 2024 (n=1,003 British Columbia residents, margin of error +/- 3.1%, 19 times out of 20)