Health Canada has announced that it is banning the use of the poison strychnine in Canada! Strychnine is an incredibly cruel and inhumane predacide used to kill animals like wolves, coyotes, black bears, and skunks. The March 7, 2024 decision by Health Canada cancels all use of strychnine in the country. A primary factor in Health Canada’s decision was the poison’s impacts on non-target animals (secondary poisoning).
This is a huge victory for wildlife and for all individuals and organizations who have been calling for a ban on strychnine in Canada. In 2022, The Fur-Bearers sent a formal submission and signed a joint submission with other animal protection organizations as part of Health Canada’s consultation for the poison, click here to read the submissions.
We want to thank and congratulate all the individuals and groups who sent comments and have been working tirelessly to rid Canada of this inhumane poison. In particular, we would like to acknowledge Sadie Parr’s and We Howl’s efforts in this historic victory.
Unfortunately, today’s announcement also includes Health Canada’s decision to continue allowing the use of sodium monofluoroacetate, commonly known as Compound 1080. Compound 1080 is used as a ‘predator control’ method to kill wolves and coyotes, and like strychnine, it causes extreme suffering to any animals who ingest the poison. Efforts to outlaw Compound 1080 in Canada will continue.
