Voters will hit the municipal polls across the country this month – and that means you still have time to talk to candidates about issues that matter to you.
Municipal politicians can’t pass sweeping bills to shut down fur farms across the province or ban traps throughout the country, but they can direct local policy on permitting for fur farms, the use of traps on municipal property, and dictate how town or city staff manage local wildlife issues.
That means speaking to candidates about issues in your community has value, as does getting out and voting on election day (or at advance polls). Here’s a few questions you can consider asking:
- What is your stance on allowing fur farm expansion or placement on our agricultural lands, considering the vast environmental risks, as well as animal welfare concerns?
- Are you aware that while wildlife issues are typically regulated by provincial authorities, municipalities are most often responsible for managing local issues?
- What steps will you take to ensure that local wildlife rehabilitators are able to work with animal control to ensure wildlife is treated humanely when found injured or orphaned?
- How will you address situations of conflict with wildlife involving animals such as coyotes, bears, raccoons, etc.?
- Will you consider creating policy that bans traps or requires alternative methods to be implemented before traps are used?
- Will you work with non-profits like The Fur-Bearers to implement humane, science-based co-existence policies for wildlife?
Remember to be respectful and genuine – most people who are running for municipal elections simply want to make their communities a better place. And let us know if you come across a candidate who gets elected and is animal-friendly or is in interested in learning more about co-existence, we’d love to help them!
Even if you don’t ask your candidates questions please vote – democracy only works if we demand that it does through participation.
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