Politics and policymaking have a profound impact on animal welfare, yet progress is often stalled by bureaucracy, lobbying interests, and political inertia. Two recent examples illustrate how political processes can hinder essential animal welfare reforms: Bill C-355, which seeks to end Canada’s live horse export trade for slaughter, and federal petition e-5269, which calls for a nationwide ban on fur farming.
Bill C-355 and the Live Horse Export Trade
Bill C-355, introduced in 2022, aims to prohibit the export of live horses for slaughter. Every year, Canada ships thousands of horses to Japan, where they face long, stressful journeys in cramped conditions before being slaughtered for meat. Public outcry has been strong, with many Canadians condemning this practice as inhumane.
However, despite widespread public support and growing international pressure, the bill has faced roadblocks in the Canadian Senate. This bill has been at the Canadian Senate now for three years prior to the prorogation and was a campaign promise from the Liberal Party during the last federal election. However, with Parliament being prorogued, there is a good chance that this bill will die—as all active bills in either the House or the Senate get cleared off the docket at the start of a new session of Parliament.
This also applies to active federal petitions; they must be completed, presented, and the bill written and passed all within the same session. We need to start holding our elected members accountable for not only campaign promises but also wasting time and resources in such bills and petitions not moving forward as they should have.
Regarding the live export of horses, the Minister of Agriculture has the authority to implement this as a policy and not as a bill, which does not require a Senate vote. Animal Justice has launched a social media campaign to bring awareness to this and put pressure on the minister. MP and Minister Lawrence MacAulay can be reached by email at lawrence.macaulay@parl.gc.ca, aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca, and by phone at 1-855-773-0241.
Petition e-5269: The Fight to End Fur Farming
Federal petition e-5269, launched in late 2023, calls for an end to fur farming across Canada. This petition highlights the cruelty inherent in fur farming, where minks, foxes, and other species are confined to small, unsanitary cages before being killed for their pelts. Additionally, fur farms pose a serious risk for zoonotic disease transmission, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic when outbreaks occurred in mink farms worldwide.
Despite growing scientific evidence and shifting public sentiment against fur farming, legislative action has been sluggish. While some provinces, such as British Columbia, have moved to ban mink farming, a federal ban remains elusive. The political hesitation to phase out fur farming stems from lobbying by industry groups and a reluctance to challenge entrenched economic interests. As a result, millions of animals continue to suffer under outdated and unnecessary practices.
There is still a legally active fur farm in British Columbia that harvests the furs of chinchillas. These operations pose the same zoonotic risks as mink farms and could contribute to future viral outbreaks, similar to avian influenza. This particular farm operated for years without a health mediation plan to reduce the chances of outbreaks occurring. In a world with so many alternatives, is fur still really necessary?
You can see updates on this petition on the Vancouver Humane Society's Website.
The Need for Political Willpower
Both Bill C-355 and petition e-5269 illustrate a broader problem: political decision-making does not always reflect public demand for stronger animal protections. While advocacy groups and concerned citizens push for humane policies, corporate interests, bureaucratic inertia, and political calculations often take precedence. Without dedicated political will, even widely supported reforms can stagnate indefinitely.
Animal welfare should not be a partisan issue. As more Canadians advocate for ethical treatment of non-human animals, it is crucial that policymakers prioritize humane legislation over industry profits. Public pressure, grassroots activism, and continued dialogue with elected officials remain essential tools in holding the government accountable.
While setbacks are frustrating, history has shown that persistence can lead to change. By continuing to raise awareness and demand action, we can push Canada toward a future where animal welfare is not an afterthought but a legislative priority.
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