Animal Cruelty Legislation

The CFHS has always had a very strong and positivie relationship with the Federal government; from our very beginnings Prime Ministers, Governor Generals, Senators and MPs have played active roles in our activities.

This strong relationship was evident as the CFHS hosted 80+ MPs and Senators recently at a reception on Parliament Hill.  Hosted by Mr. Bruce Stanton, Assistant Deputy Chair of Committees as a Whole and Mr. Rick Dykstra, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration, the CFHS and its members promoted the role that humane societies and SPCAs play at the local level and the role that the CFHS fills at the National.

Out of that reception there came a new-found enthusiasm within Canada's political parties on issues surrounding animal welfare and protection in Canada.  When the next opportunity to influence the Criminal Code of Canada arises, the CFHS will be the first animal welfare group to be contacted for its input.

As the year moves ahead, all of the farm animal code groups have made great strides towards their final codes.  New national Codes of Practice for the welfare of horses, pigs, cattle and sheep are now entering the final stages of negotiation. Public comment periods will be held in fall of 2012 and early 2013, providing an opportunity to the public to express their expectations for Canada to meet higher standards.

If you are interested in being involved in that process, please let me know davidd@cfhs.ca.

Convened by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC), the Codes set out minimum requirements for treatment of all farm animals in Canada and serve as reference documents for animal cruelty law. The Canadian Federation of Humane Societies serves as the voice of the Canadian humane movement at the table.