World Animal Protection

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Dear friend,

September has been a busy month of campaigning, and we need your powerful voice.

Marineland is trying to export beluga whales to a US aquarium, outside of Canada’s protections. While the US has approved the import permit, there is still an opportunity to have an impact. Canada still needs to approve the export permit, and we need your voice to help whales!

The Code of Practice for the care and handling of pigs in Canada is up for review and public comment. As one of two animal welfare groups with a seat at the table at NFACC, we have the latest updates, and we need your help to show Canadians care about protecting pigs.

Our Canadian coalition to end the wildlife trade continues to grow. We have met with Members of Parliament (MPs) who are very supportive, but they aren’t hearing enough from their constituents on this issue. We need your help to change that by writing to your MP.

In Ontario, the short-sighted ‘Ag Gag’ law has passed, but the regulations are open for public comment. We encourage Ontario residents to participate to have your voice heard and speak out for animals. (You can still comment if you’re from outside of Ontario. Let the Ontario government know how other Canadians feel about this issue!)

Making your voice heard on these issues will help inform laws and regulations by showing that Canadians believe that animal welfare is a priority. Keep reading and help us make some noise for animals!

US allows aquarium to import Marineland belugas but prohibits breeding and training them for shows. Canadian approval is still needed.

We joined a coalition of NGOs in commenting on the US aquarium’s import permit to fight for the protections that these belugas won in Canada. We are pleased to share that the US added conditions to the permit prohibiting breeding and the use of these belugas for performances. It is a great precedent set in the US, but we still have more work to do in Canada.

Since Canada’s Bill S-203 is quite new, the Canadian government still needs to finalize the regulatory procedures for issuing import or export permits under the new law. Draft policies that provide guidance to the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans for granting or denying permits to import and export cetaceans were recently posted for public comment until November 18th.

We are fighting for the best interests of these whales and for a precedent that will help phase out of the captive cetacean industry. Read more about our involvement, and how you can help by submitting an official comment to the Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans.

Canada’s Code of Practice for the care and handling of pigs is up for review and public comment

It may surprise you to hear that there are essentially no laws in Canada to protect farm animals. The Codes of Practice developed by the National Farm Animal Care Council (NFACC) are the closest thing we have.

Codes are updated every 10 years, with reviews conducted every five years. This year marks the five-year review for the pig Code – this is our chance to influence pig welfare standards in Canada. Read about the latest Code amendments and make your voice heard by submitting an official comment to the NFACC review committee.

Tell your MP to support our campaign to end the wildlife trade

The G20 Leader’s Summit is fast approaching, and we need your help to make sure that stopping the cruel wildlife trade is on the agenda.

Ask your MP to support our campaign to end the wildlife trade. MPs are more likely to take action if their constituents demand them to. Your letter can help us get meetings with them so we can share our evidence and achieve their support. They in turn can help us influence the Prime Minister and the Ministers responsible for restricting the wildlife trade.

Act now

Ontario’s Ag Gag law passed. Now what?

The Ontario government’s Bill-156, also known as the “Ag Gag” bill, passed on June 17, but we still have a chance to influence the Ontario government’s proposed regulations.

These proposed regulations are open for public comment until October 15, and we encourage Ontario residents to participate to have your voice heard and speak out for animals.

You can still comment if you are from outside of Ontario. Whistleblower activity is valued in a democratic and just society as an important tool to reveal unethical practices and this should be no different in the agriculture industries. The public has a right to know how farm animals are raised and treated. Let the Ontario government know how other Canadians feel about this issue.