The Modernizing Animal Protections Act, or Bill C-246, died on the floor of the House of Commons on October 5, 2016. MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s attempt to bring common sense updates to various aspects of Canadian laws relating to animals failed to attract enough votes to move it forward.
At the time, numerous members of government from numerous parties suggested they supported individual aspects of the bill, which included a prohibition on the importation sale of dog and cat fur, requirement of labelling of all fur products, a prohibition on shark finning, and the closure of loopholes in the criminal code as it related to animals. The Liberal government suggested that a review of animal cruelty legislation was in order, and that, as a significant social issue, it would become a priority.To date no such review has taken place – and that’s what Petition e-718 is demanding take place.
The official online petition, which is hosted by the House of Commons and will be read into the legislature, states simply: “We, the undersigned,residents of Canada, call upon theMinister of Justiceto address the significant social issue of animal cruelty by immediately conducting a review of the animal cruelty provisions in the Criminal Code.”
The Fur-Bearers heartily endorse this petition, and ask that all our supporters from across the nation take a moment to sign it. Unlike other online petitions, this one will be accepted by the House of Commons, and will require a formal response from the government.
To sign the petition click here and follow the instructions
Reasonable legislative updates to animal cruelty laws are the very least the government can do after failing to follow through on C-246. And signing this petition is the very least all of us can do to support it.
