43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 21, 2021e-3063e-3063 (Animals)JaniceMartensNathanielErskine-SmithBeaches—East YorkLiberalONDecember 24, 2020, at 9:20 a.m. (EDT)March 24, 2021, at 9:20 a.m. (EDT)May 6, 2021June 21, 2021March 25, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:The plight of millions of mink in Europe has been highlighted in the news around the world due to the mink being culled after the spread of COVID-19 on mink farms between mink and between mink and humans;A COVID-19 breakout has recently been confirmed at a mink farm in the Fraser Valley, BC, where eight workers were also infected. Scientists confirm there is a real risk of a mutation of the virus occurring by these human to mink, back to human transmissions that could adversley affect the success of future vaccines;Mink are intelligent and curious animals native to Canada and are far ranging in movement in their natural setting. However, on these farms, mink are kept in small wire, feces-covered cages tightly stacked together, stressed and often sick and injured, for their entire existance which lasts approximately 8-12 months before they are killed for their pelts; andSeveral countries have already implemented bans on mink farming. A recent Research Co. survey suggests 81 per cent of Canadians oppose killing animals for their fur.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to ban the farming of mink in the entire country.
Response by the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-FoodSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Marie-Claude Bibeau, PC, MPThe health and welfare of farmed mink is important to the Government of Canada. This is a shared responsibility that rests not only with the federal government, but also with provincial and territorial governments, producers, and many others.Canadian provinces, as enabled under the Constitution Act, have the primary responsibility for protecting the welfare of animals, including farm animals and pets. Provincial and territorial legislation respecting animal welfare, where found, vary in scope and context. The interpretation, application, and enforcement of provincial farm welfare legislation must, and most appropriately, reside under their jurisdiction.Federally, the Criminal Code of Canada prohibits anyone from willfully causing animals to suffer from neglect, pain, and injury. The Criminal Code is enforced by police services, provincial and territorial Societies for the Prevention of Cruelty of Animals, and/or provincial and territorial ministries of agriculture.     The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is responsible for regulating the importation of animals into Canada in order to prevent the introduction and spread of diseases that could negatively impact the health of both animals (including wildlife) and humans. The CFIA’s mandate with respect to animal welfare is limited to regulating the humane transport of animals and the humane treatment of food animals in federal abattoirs. CFIA veterinarians and inspectors administer and enforce the humane transport and import requirements at the border and other points of international entry.The CFIA has worked with the Canadian mink industry on mitigating disease risks to farmed mink, including the development of a National Farm-Level Mink Biosecurity Standard, which all mink producers are encouraged to use. The CFIA and the Public Health Agency of Canada  have worked closely with both federal and provincial partners to address risks from SARS-CoV-2. As a result, national guidance on preventing and responding to SARS-CoV-2 infections in farmed mink was developed and has been shared with the provinces, territories, and industry to protect both human and animal health.In addition, the Government has supported and participated in the development of the Codes of Practice for the care and handling of farm animals since 1980. The development of the Codes of Practice is coordinated by the National Farm Animal Care Council. Code development is a collaborative and science-informed process drawing on, among other things, the expertise of researchers, welfare and animal behaviour specialists, veterinarians, and industry experts from government and private sectors.The Codes form the basis for development of on-farm assessment programs for various species in Canada, including farmed mink. The resulting Mink Care Assessment Program (MCAP) is a comprehensive program that helps verify that mink farms across the country are consistent with the Code of Practice. In addition to animal welfare requirements, the MCAP also addresses overall management, husbandry, and environmental practices. Canadian mink farms are also subject to on-farm inspection and third-party audits, to ensure responsible production practices.
Cruelty to animalsFur farmingMink
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledJune 16, 2021e-3047e-3047 (Animals)SherylFinkLenWebberCalgary ConfederationConservativeABDecember 21, 2020, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)April 20, 2021, at 9:28 a.m. (EDT)May 3, 2021June 16, 2021April 21, 2021Petition to the <Addressee type="3" affiliationId="" mp-riding-display="1">Government of Canada</Addressee>Whereas:Strychnine, Compound 1080 (sodium monofluoroacetate), and sodium cyanide are widely acknowledged as inhumane methods of killing animals due to the intensity and duration of suffering they cause;The use of strychnine and Compound 1080 is considered inhumane by the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, and the use of strychnine as a method of euthanasia is in contravention of the Canadian Council on Animal Care guidelines, and those of the the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Society of Mammalogists; andThe indiscriminate nature of these poisons results in the death of non-target animals, including wild and endangered species, pets, and farm animals, and poses a threat to human health.We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take immediate measures to end the use of strychnine, Compound 1080, and sodium cyanide for killing wolves, bears, coyotes, and other large vertebrates.
Response by the Minister of HealthSigned by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Jennifer O'ConnellIn Canada, pesticides are regulated federally under the Pest Control Products Act, which is administered by Health Canada’s Pest Management Regulatory Agency (PMRA). Health Canada’s number one priority is to protect the health and safety of Canadians and the environment.Before a pesticide is allowed to be used or sold in Canada, it must undergo a rigorous scientific assessment process to determine that the health and environmental risks of using the product are acceptable, when used according to label directions. Health Canada does not determine whether a product should be used (for example, for wildlife control or any other purpose), only that it can be used safely in accordance with the conditions of registration.There are currently three active ingredients registered to control large vertebrate predators in Canada: sodium fluoroacetate (Compound 1080), sodium cyanide and strychnine. However, the use of sodium cyanide will not be permitted as of December 31, 2021, as this pesticide has been cancelled by the manufacturer. Health Canada’s assessments of these pesticides indicated that the use has value and the risks of the product are acceptable, provided that the directions for use specified on the label are followed. Label instructions for these pesticides include restrictions to minimize poisoning of non-target animals, including species at risk, and other measures to minimize exposure to humans. It should be noted that these products are restricted class products and can only be used by provincial officials in Alberta and Saskatchewan, or persons designated by these provinces specifically to control large predators, in circumstances where livestock have been killed, threatened wildlife populations have been impacted through predation, or there are risks to people. Conditions of use require measures be taken to prevent non-target exposure, and noncompliance with these measures are subject to enforcement under the Pest Control Products Act and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Act.In addition, although humaneness protocols and guidelines are established by veterinary and animal care organizations for situations such as laboratory animal testing or livestock abattoirs, it is important to note that these are not standardized. Rather, they are set for each circumstance, based on the ability to closely control and observe the animals and the conditions they are subject to, and to minimize unnecessary suffering. It should also be noted that there are currently no standardized scientific protocols in place in any Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development country for evaluating the humaneness of products intended to control problem animals in the wild.Health Canada acknowledges concerns among Canadians about the use of pesticides to control large predators and the unintended effects on non-target animals. As such, in the interest of seeking Canadians’ views and input regarding the humaneness of these pesticides, Health Canada published the consultation document Humane Vertebrate Pest Control for a 120-day consultation period that ended in April 2019. On January 21, 2021, a summary document of what was heard during that consultation was published, as well as an Information Note: Regulation of Pesticides to Control Large Vertebrate Predators.Health Canada also periodically re-evaluates pesticides that are on the market to assess whether they continue to meet the Department’s health and environmental standards, and hence whether they should continue to be permitted for use in Canada. In January 2021, the PMRA initiated re-evaluations of strychnine, Compound 1080, and sodium cyanide. Note that the re-evaluation of sodium cyanide has since been closed, following the manufacturer’s decision to cancel the registration of sodium cyanide. The remaining two re-evaluations will involve reviewing all aspects of these predacide uses (environmental risks, including non-target deaths, and human health risks and value). Based on the outcome of the re-evaluations of these pesticides, the PMRA will then make a determination regarding their continued acceptability, and will publish for public consultation a proposed re-evaluation decision for each of these pesticides. The Department will consider all comments received during the consultation period before finalizing its decisions.
Cruelty to animalsPesticidesPoisons
43rd Parliament223Government response tabledMarch 13, 2020431-00044431-00044 (Animals)JenicaAtwinFrederictonGreen PartyNBJanuary 29, 2020March 13, 2020Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament AssembledWe, the undersigned Citizens of Canada draw to the attention of the House the following:THAT, WHEREAS animals are sentient beings, capable of feeling pain, and are not property,WHEREAS stray and wild animals are not sufficiently protected by animal cruelty laws under the property section of the Criminal Code,WHEREAS it is imperative that those who abuse animals face conviction and significant penalty, and WHEREAS loopholes in existing legislation too often allow those who abuse animals toe escape penalty, THEREFORE, YOUR PETITIONERS call upon the House of Commons to recognize animals as beings that can feel pain and move animal cruelty crimes from the property section of the Criminal Code, and to strengthen the language of federal animal cruelty in order to close loopholes that allow abusers to escape penalty.
Response by the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable David LamettiCruelty to animals is a serious issue, and our Government was proud to introduce Bill C-84, An Act to Amend the Criminal Code (bestiality and animal fighting) in October 2018, which came into force on June 21, 2019. This Bill amended the Criminal Code to ensure that engaging in any sexual activity with an animal or compelling someone else to engage in such activities, especially a child, is a serious criminal offence. It also expanded the animal fighting provisions to afford equal protection to all animals forced to engage in animal fighting, and broadened the scope of prohibited activities associated with animal fighting. The targeted amendments from this Bill received support from all key stakeholders in the matter, including both animal protection groups and agricultural groups. The Government remains committed to reviewing the need for further amendments to the Criminal Code in order to protect animals better.
Cruelty to animalsSentencing