Community Impacts and Public Opinion
The message from the majority of Canadians is clear: fur farming does not belong in Canada. Several surveys have revealed that there is significant public opposition to fur farming across Canada.
- A 2013 survey conducted by Insights West found that 81% of British Columbians were opposed to killing animals for their fur¹
- A 2014 survey conducted by Leger found 63% of Canadians supported a ban on fur farming²
- A 2020 survey conducted by Research Co. found that 76% of Canadians were opposed to killing animals for their fur and only 19% supported the practice. 5% of respondents were unsure.³
Despite not being directly impacted by fur farming, many Canadians are adamantly opposed to this industry as demonstrated by these surveys. Unfortunately, there are many communities which are located in close proximity to fur farms and are directly impacted by the harmful activities of these operations.
The Fur-Bearers visited rural Nova Scotia in 2013 to meet with residents who expressed concerns over the environmental impact and degrading quality-of-life regarding nearby mink fur farms. Though we interviewed more than two dozen families, only a few agreed to have their interviews broadcast publicly due to fear of stigma or reprisal for speaking out against the fur farm industry.
References
¹Insights West. (2013, November 26). British Columbians Denounce Trophy Hunting, Furring.
https://www.insightswest.com/news/british-columbians-denounce-trophy-hunting-furring/
²Leger. (2014) Support/Opposition for Fur Farming Ban.
https://www.hsi.org/wp-content/uploads/assets/pdfs/leger-fur-ban-survey-121714.pdf
³Research Co. (2020, September 22). Canadians and Americans Differ on Issues Related to Animals.
https://researchco.ca/2020/09/22/canada-us-animals