
Dolphins Shows Ongoing at Marineland, Despite National Ban & Criminal Charge »
May 25, 2022Animal Justice has filed a new complaint with Niagara Police following a video showing that dolphins are still being used in performances.
Read More »Animal Justice has filed a new complaint with Niagara Police following a video showing that dolphins are still being used in performances.
Read More »Please excuse the limited website functionality. Animal Justice is launching a new website in the coming weeks that will better tell our story, make it easier than ever to take action, will include new resources on pressing animal issues, and…
Read More »Eleven animal advocates who exposed horrific cruelty on a Quebec pig farm have been convicted of break and enter and obstructing police by a Quebec judge.
Read More »A man in Edmonton is facing 126 animal cruelty charges after nearly 700 reptiles were allegedly found either dead or severely neglected in his home.
Read More »Robbing animals of their right to motherhood is an integral part of the business model of many animal-use industries.
Read More »Animal Justice is calling on Manitoba’s Chief Veterinary Officer to investigate.
Read More »Animal Justice is asking authorities to investigate after around 2,000 pigs were left to die at a HyLife factory farm near Kola, Manitoba, 300 kilometres west of Winnipeg. After news of the mass deaths came to light from concerned citizens,…
Read More »The Crown has dropped the charges against one of the four animal rights advocates who blew the whistle on cruelty at Excelsior Hog Farm in BC.
Read More »The Canadian meat industry slaughtered more than 825 million land animals for food in 2021, according to government slaughter statistics analyzed by Animal Justice.
Read More »Scientific experts have concluded that octopuses are sentient beings and that it is impossible to farm them in a way that doesn’t compromise their welfare.
Read More »Winnipeg City Council met yesterday to consider amendments to the Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw.
Read More »As bird flu continues to ravage farms across the country, factory farmed birds are paying the ultimate price.
Read More »New regulations improve standards for shelter, food, water, and types of tethers used on dogs kept outdoors.
Read More »Reptilia has withdrawn its application for a by-law exemption following objections from residents and animal protection groups!
Read More »This guide to greenwashing is designed to help you understand what some of the unregulated marketing terms mean and how you can effectively counter them in conversation with others.
Read More »Lizards, snakes and tortoises don’t want to be selfie props.
Read More »The results highlight the disconnect between public opinion and where Canada stands with legislation.
Read More »Tragically, many of the rabbits are abandoned in the weeks after Easter, once families begin to realize that caring for a rabbit is a major commitment.
Read More »Isolated orca Kiska is still self-harming at Marineland.
Read More »Allowing the expansion of the UrbanHens TO program during a period of outbreak is as dangerous as it is illogical.
Read More »Save the date! The fourth annual Canadian Animal Law Conference will take place from September 16-18, 2022, at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. The Conference kicks off with our Student Conference, a day dedicated to giving law students…
Read More »This unfolding tragedy underscores the need for urgent action to protect the health and well-being of animals still held captive at Marineland.
Read More »A Quebec dog sledding operation has shut down and nearly 100 dogs are now with loving families or are up for adoption at animal shelters.
Read More »It’s now easier than ever to stay informed on the latest developments in animal law in Canada, thanks to the new Canada Edition of the Brooks Animal Law Digest. The Canada Edition of the Brooks Animal Law Digest is a…
Read More »Animal Justice is concerned that there may be culls of tens of thousands of birds as the H5N1 virus continues to spread, but birds on factory farms may not be the only victims.
Read More »After hearing from Animal Justice and the Winnipeg Humane Society, the Royal Manitoba Winter Fair has called off the cruel events.
Read More »Animal Justice is pleased to be hosting the Student Research Paper Contest for the third year in a row! The contest offers cash prizes and a presentation spot at the next Canadian Animal Law Conference for the top three winners…
Read More »An exciting new bill introduced today in the Canadian Senate takes aim at the zoo industry, and would help protect many species of wild animals from suffering in captivity. Bill S-241, also known as The Jane Goodall Act, was introduced…
Read More »In the last election campaign, the governing Liberals promised to ban the live export of horses for slaughter—a practice widely-condemned for its cruelty. This followed years of advocacy by groups including Animal Justice, the Winnipeg Humane Society, and the Canadian…
Read More »The Quebec government plans to ban all non-essential cosmetic procedures on companion animals by this summer, including cat declawing, tail docking, ear cropping, and debarking. The province is currently drafting this exciting legislation, which will make Quebec the first province…
Read More »Update – March 25, 2022: The Royal Manitoba Winter Fair cancelled its cruel pig and calf “scrambles” just days before they were set to take place, after Animal Justice and the Winnipeg Humane Society, with the support of the Brandon…
Read More »Canada’s federal government has introduced an exciting new bill that could end some of the worst and most painful forms of animal experimentation. Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act is currently working its way through the…
Read More »Authorities are investigating the Vancouver Aquarium and Great Vancouver Zoo for animal cruelty, after the Vancouver Humane Society filed a report concerning poor conditions at the facilities. In 2022, the Vancouver Humane Society released shocking footage from the Zoo and…
Read More »The field of animal law has grown exponentially in Canada over the past decade. Animal law has grown from a small and largely unknown area of practice into a respected area of the law that only continues to gain recognition and momentum, thanks…
Read More »Note: consultation is now closed. Ontario is consulting the public on updates to animal welfare regulations that apply to outdoor dogs in the province. The proposed updates are extensive and long overdue, covering topics from grooming and nail care to…
Read More »Animal Justice stands in solidarity with the people and animals impacted by the ongoing crisis in Ukraine. Since Russia’s invasion, hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian civilians have been forced to flee to neighbouring countries in search of safety—many desperately trying…
Read More »Animal Justice, The Fur-Bearers, and Coyote Watch Canada are suing the Ontario government over its decision to allow a coyote hunting contest to take place throughout the month of February. In a lawsuit filed in Superior Court on Thursday, February…
Read More »Today is Canada’s Agriculture Day, a day when many people celebrate how our food is produced. While Canada is well-known for growing crops like wheat, pulses, and legumes, the country is also heavily engaged in animal agriculture—where gentle cows, pigs,…
Read More »Animal Justice is sounding the alarm over a coyote hunting contest taking place throughout the month of February. The annual contest, held by Chesher’s Outdoor Store near Belleville, Ontario, includes thousands of dollars in cash and prizes for contest participants…
Read More »Egg Farmers of Ontario has quietly changed its website after shocking footage released on TikTok showed a trucker hauling away 52,000 hens, who were killed off en masse on an Ontario egg farm. These hens were victims of on-farm “depopulation”—where…
Read More »Connecticut-based Mystic Aquarium has confirmed that another beluga whale transferred to the facility from Ontario-based Marineland has died. Another beluga is gravely ill, though Mystic has not confirmed whether that animal is also one of the five who were recently…
Read More »Member of Parliament Nathaniel Erskine-Smith just introduced groundbreaking legislation in the House of Commons to outlaw all fur farms in Canada. On February 9, 2022, Erskine-Smith, a Liberal MP from Beaches—East York, tabled Bill C-247, the Act to Prohibit Fur…
Read More »Reptilia, a private zoo chain notorious for displaying exotic reptiles and using them at mobile live performances as party props, has withdrawn its application for an exemption to animal keeping by-laws which would allow it open a location in St.…
Read More »Note: public consultations for Winnipeg and Toronto are now closed. Urban (or backyard) chicken-keeping is becoming increasingly popular across Canada. Many people are drawn to the romanticized idea that keeping hens will help them become more self-sufficient, and eat more…
Read More »Proposed new bylaw changes in Winnipeg are drawing attention from animal protection groups, the pet industry, and compassionate citizens across Canada. Much has gone on since our last blog explaining the bylaw review, and how it can help Winnipeg’s companion…
Read More »Animal Justice is looking for answers and is offering a reward for inside information, after a viral TikTok video showed a truck driver supposedly hauling away 52,000 dead chickens who were killed on a southern Ontario egg farm. In the…
Read More »Note: The survey is now closed There’s an important opportunity to speak up against some of the worst cruelty in the dairy industry—including the heartbreaking practice of separating baby calves from their mothers. We encourage you to have your say…
Read More »Animal Justice just gave animals a voice at the Supreme Court of Canada, in an important case on public interest standing. The case could set a precedent for when and how animals and advocacy organizations can bring cases before the…
Read More »Health Canada is conducting an external review of its decision to phase out the use of products containing strychnine to kill Richardson’s ground squirrels over the course of three years rather than banning them immediately. The move comes after Animal Justice…
Read More »A reptile zoo has been blocked from opening in Toronto’s Harbourfront Centre after city councillors heard concerns from scientists, community members, and animal protection groups—including Animal Justice and our supporters. Reptilia, which already operates reptile zoos in nearby Vaughan and…
Read More »Animal Justice released the final episode of its popular Paw & Order podcast this month. After four seasons and 91 episodes, hosts Camille Labchuk, Peter Sankoff, and Jessica Scott-Reid said goodbye to listeners in a grand finale episode. Paw &…
Read More »Marineland has been charged under the federal Criminal Code for forcing cetaceans to perform in shows for entertainment, following a legal complaint filed by Animal Justice. Since 2019, it has been a criminal offence to force whales and dolphins to…
Read More »Marineland is being investigated by the Ontario police after the lawyers at Animal Justice filed a legal complaint over concerns that the marine park’s dolphin performances violate the Criminal Code. In 2019, Canada outlawed the captivity of whales and dolphins.…
Read More »Petroglyph Comics—a social justice comic studio—recently released an important new comic strip featuring Canadian ag gag laws, in an effort to explain what these dangerous laws do in a way that is accessible to the public. Ag gag laws are…
Read More »Animal Justice just helped achieve a groundbreaking new legal victory for animals. The Alberta Court of Appeal confirmed the need for Canadian courts to protect animals from violent crimes when sentencing animal abusers—stating that animals are sentient beings who can…
Read More »In the dark of night on December 5, 2021, with temperatures dropping to a bone chilling -36 degrees celsius with the windchill, truckloads of horses arrived at the Winnipeg airport to be shipped to Japan. After a lengthy four to five…
Read More »Animal Justice submitted an animal cruelty complaint to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) and Animal Protection Services of Saskatchewan based on shocking footage taken by local animal protection advocates with Regina Animal Save on October 24, 2021. The footage…
Read More »We just wrapped up our fourth annual #Voiceless4AnimalJustice campaign, and once again, we’re so pleased that it was a smashing success for animals thanks to the support of our amazing community. On November 6, supporters from coast-to-coast took a 24-hour…
Read More »Animal Justice is releasing shocking new video footage that shows a pattern of abuse and cruelty at an organic dairy farm in Abbotsford, British Columbia. The footage was shot in 2021 at Cedar Valley, an organic dairy farm, and was…
Read More »Halloween is just around the corner. Many people will be getting into the spooky spirit by watching scary movies, carving pumpkins, and dressing up in costumes. But for animals used for food and fur, their life is a living nightmare—no…
Read More »Canada urgently needs better federal laws protecting animals from abuse and suffering. But we’re finally beginning to see a shift in a positive direction. During Canada’s recent federal election, all the political parties made animal protection a policy priority for…
Read More »Guest post from journalist Jessica Scott-Reid The third annual Canadian Animal Law Conference, presented by Animal Justice, was once again held online this year, and was attended by hundreds of legal professionals, animal advocates, students, educators, journalists and more, from around…
Read More »Canadians went to the polls on September 20, and for the first time in history, animal protection played a major role in the recent federal election. As usual, Animal Justice issued endorsements, surveyed parties about their animal policies, and saw…
Read More »Animal Justice is urging Canadian officials to investigate after a young beluga whale died less than three months after being exported from Marineland in Ontario, Canada. In 2019, we learned that Connecticut-based Mystic Aquarium intended to import five belugas from…
Read More »Canadians will go to the polls and vote in a federal election on September 20, 2021. Once again, Animal Justice will be putting animal protection issues on the election agenda, and will help ensure animal champions are elected to office…
Read More »Note: View updated blog post here. The City of Winnipeg is proposing a host of exciting new rules aimed at protecting companion animals and wildlife. The proposals are part of the City’s review of its Responsible Pet Ownership Bylaw, and…
Read More »Animal Justice is calling on the Alberta SPCA to investigate multiple instances of animal abuse at Alberta rodeos in July. Chuckwagon racing is an inherently dangerous activity for the horses involved, and animal protection advocates are opposed to these risky and…
Read More »Animal Justice has been granted leave to intervene in a Supreme Court of Canada case could affect how animals and animal advocates access the justice system. In order for a case to be heard in court, an individual or organization…
Read More »Animal Justice is calling for an animal cruelty investigation after a transport truck full of baby pigs skidded off of the road into a ditch on Concession 4 Walpole, just outside of Haldimand County, Ontario on the morning of July…
Read More »McDonald’s has stopped running a greenwashing ad campaign about its Quarter Pounder burger after an Animal Justice legal complaint prompted investigations by federal regulators. McDonald’s unveiled an ad campaign last fall that attempted to re-brand the Quarter Pounder burger as…
Read More »Animal Justice is seeking leave to intervene in a Supreme Court of Canada case that could have important implications for access to justice in cases involving animals and animal advocates. To launch a lawsuit, a person or an organization must…
Read More »Animal Justice has filed a formal animal cruelty complaint with provincial authorities, requesting an investigation into the apparent suffering of Kiska, the last surviving orca at Marineland in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Two heartbreaking videos of Kiska were recently released by…
Read More »Meat is not green. That’s why a Member of Parliament recently introduced a groundbreaking motion in House of Commons, calling on the federal government to tackle the major role that industrial animal agriculture plays in the climate crisis. Paul Manly,…
Read More »Animal Justice is asking authorities to investigate an exotic pet store in British Columbia for violations of federal and provincial animal protection laws, after hundreds of reptiles and rodents died in the recent heat wave that hit that province. The…
Read More »In a stunning victory for animals, luxury outerwear company Canada Goose just announced that it plans to go entirely fur-free by the end of 2022. This is a huge blow to the dwindling fur industry, and more proof that there…
Read More »A legislative committee studying the proposed federal agricultural gag, or “ag gag”, law has amended the bill in response to concerns raised by Animal Justice and other animal protection groups, legal scholars, and even the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”). …
Read More »Parliament is considering a troubling federal ag gag law, yet animal protection organizations like Animal Justice have been blocked from testifying about how the proposed law would harm animals and unfairly punish people who speak out against routine abuse on…
Read More »Animal Justice is calling on the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) and provincial authorities to investigate the suspicious deaths and disposal of two calves who were discovered by concerned citizens just a few steps off of a rural road in…
Read More »Animal Justice is pleased to be hosting the Student Research Paper Contest again this year! The contest is designed to encourage student scholarship on the growing field of animal law, and support students who have done outstanding research into the…
Read More »Animal Justice is releasing a new report examining disease outbreaks on Canadian farms, called Animal Advocates or Animal Agriculture? Disease Outbreaks & Biosecurity Failures on Farms. Based on data compiled by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) which monitors and…
Read More »A kangaroo named Willow has died after escaping from Papanack Park Zoo and being injured in a road incident. Papanack Zoo is a roadside zoo located just east of Ottawa, and is notorious for longstanding allegations of animal cruelty and…
Read More »The Canadian meat industry slaughtered more than 812 million land animals for food in 2020, according to government slaughter statistics analyzed by Animal Justice.
Read More »The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) recently announced it was temporarily halting plans for a factory goat farm operation slated to open in spring 2021 at the Joyceville and Collins Bay federal prisons in Kingston, Ontario. This pilot project faced…
Read More »One of Canada’s most important environmental laws, the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (“CEPA”) is more than 20 years old and past due for a revamp. Nearly four years after the House of Commons Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable…
Read More »Animal advocate Malcolm Klimowicz has been acquitted of the criminal offence of break and enter for entering a fur farm without permission, and filming suffering minks trapped inside tiny wire cages. The acquittal comes after a multi-day trial held online,…
Read More »Animal Justice is seeking leave to intervene before the Alberta Court of Appeal in a case about sentences for the criminal offence of animal cruelty. In the case, R v Chen, the individual pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering after…
Read More »Millbank Fur Farm, a mink factory fur farm near Guelph, Ontario, has been convicted and fined for violating Ontario’s animal protection laws. The fur farm pleaded guilty in March, 2021 to failing to comply with standards of animal care, and…
Read More »On March 10, 2021, the Manitoba government finally pulled back the curtain and revealed the contents of its ag gag (aka “agricultural gag”) bill. Bill 62, the Animal Diseases Amendment Act, would restrict peaceful protests outside of slaughterhouses and conceal…
Read More »Animal Justice has filed a lawsuit challenging the Ontario government over a troubling “ag gag” (agricultural gag) law that was passed last year to cover up animal cruelty at farms, slaughterhouses, and transport. This is the first lawsuit to challenge…
Read More »The field of animal law has made tremendous strides in the past decade. What was previously seen as just an idea has now been transformed into a respected area of the law that is taught in schools and taken seriously…
Read More »CTV’s investigative affairs show W5 aired a program on February 27 exposing the horrors of Canada’s shameful and secretive live horse export trade. The horse meat industry ships thousands of gentle draft horses to Japan each year from airports in…
Read More »Each year in Canada, hundreds of animals—including companion dogs and endangered species—suffer agonizing deaths after being poisoned by pesticides intended to kill wolves, coyotes, and black bears. Strychnine, Compound 1080, and sodium cyanide are indiscriminate poisons that cause unimaginable pain and…
Read More »Calling all Prince Edward Islanders—and other compassionate Canadians, too! Here’s your chance to encourage stronger animal protection laws in PEI. PEI is currently seeking public input on the state of animal welfare and protection laws in the province. The Animal…
Read More »Updated January 24, 2022 Most people already know that fur farming is unnecessary, cruel to animals, and contaminates the environment. But a new, looming health threat posed by mink farms is making it even more urgent for Canada to outlaw…
Read More »On August 28, 2020, the U.S. National Marine Fisheries Service (“NMFS”) issued a permit to Mystic Aquarium, allowing it to import five beluga whales from Marineland in Ontario. Although Animal Justice and other animal protection groups continue to have concerns…
Read More »Thoughts of the Canadian wilderness in wintertime bring to mind scenes of beauty and tranquility. Holiday cards are adorned with images of snow-covered trees and majestic animals like reindeer, snowy owls, wolves, and bright red cardinals. Yet it is in…
Read More »Companion animals are family members, too. But all too often, people are surprised to find restrictive pet rules in condo buildings and rental housing. Although it’s generally illegal to include a “no pet” clauses in a lease, condo buildings are…
Read More »Canada’s first-ever animal law clinic opened this fall, created by students at the University of British Columbia’s Allard School of Law. The exciting new initiative will help low-income people who need assistance with animal law matters, including “dangerous” dog cases,…
Read More »On September 4, 2020, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) suspended the licence of Brome Lake Ducks Ltd., a duck slaughterhouse in Asbestos, Quebec. The CFIA stated that Brome Lake Ducks had illegally abused ducks by failing to comply with…
Read More »On December 5, 2020 Ontario brought its ag gag laws in effect—just days after Animal Justice released undercover footage of violent animal abuse and filthy conditions at a pig factory farm in Putnam, Ontario. In June of this year, Ontario…
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