Animal Cruelty
The OFAH stands as the VOICE for anglers and hunters on animal cruelty issues. The OFAH is not against animal cruelty legislation, but we stand for practical, justified legislation that penalizes criminals and not lawful activities. Every time a new animal cruelty bill is introduced, the OFAH defends against claims that regulated fishing, hunting and trapping activities are cruel and inhumane. There have been 18 previous government and private member’s bills related to animal cruelty introduced since 1999. Additional animal cruelty laws should not govern fishing and hunting in Canada.
The OFAH has spoken out against all but two of the previous 18 animal cruelty bills. We have supported bills that made a clear distinction between criminal neglect and lawful activities such as fishing, hunting and trapping. This helps to eliminate the possibility of future misinterpretation that may jeopardize lawful outdoors activities.
Update (Oct 6th,2016): Bill C-246, the Modernizing Animal Protection Act, was defeated during Vote #120 on October 5th, 2016. Members of Parliament voted down the bill by a tally of 198 to 84. Below is a complete list on how MPs voted.
Bill C-246, the Modernizing Animal Protection Act:
On February 16, Liberal MP Nathaniel-Erskine Smith (Toronto) introduced the Modernizing Animal Protections Act (Bill C-246). The bill proposes to ban shark finning and close other loopholes in animal cruelty. The problem is, that the implications for farmers, pet owners, anglers, hunters, trappers and many more animal use activities would be subject to drastic changes. This, all because of the terminology and wording in Bill C-246. Under the Bill, “Everyone commits an offence who, willfully or recklessly, b) kills an animal, or being the owner, permits an animal to be killed, brutally or viciously, regardless of whether the animal dies immediately.” Bill C-246, the Modernizing Animal Protection Act, was defeated during Vote #120 on October 5th, 2016. Members of Parliament voted down the bill by a tally of 198 to 84.
What the OFAH did:
Communicated with politicians on all sides of Parliament to ensure they understand the implications of the bill, the history of animal cruelty legislation, and what needs to be done to prevent unintended consequences for lawful animal use activities. Read our letter to the Liberal members of Parliament. We also collaborated with other animal-use groups, including livestock producers, colleges, universities, medical researchers and the outdoor community that share the same perspective.
September 14, 2016 OFAH Letter to Harold Albrecht, MP
April 12, 2016 OFAH letter to Members of Federal Liberal Caucus
April 12, 2016 A comparative between Bill C-426 proposal and current law
March 29, 2016 Hon. Judy Sgro response letter
March 29, 2016 BC Wildlife Federation responds to Bill C-246
March 11, 2016 OFAH letter to Hon. Judy Sgro with concerns over Bill C-246
March 1, 2016 OFAH letter to Members of Federal Liberal Caucus
Additional Items
September 28, 2016 OFA Letter to Ontario MPs *NEW*
June 23, 2016 Bill C-246: Letter from Yvonne Jones, MP for Labrador (May 4th Letter)
May 9, 2016 Canadian Cattlemen’s Association Memo Bill C-246
May 6, 2016 La Fédération québécoise des chasseurs et pêcheurs Letter (French)
April 13, 2016 Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation Letter to Hon. Ralph Goodale with Key Points
April 11, 2016 British Columbia Cattlemen’s Association Briefing Note (Added May 9th, 2016)
Next Steps
- Stand with the OFAH to defend your fishing, hunting and trapping future
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