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…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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 this outdated industry and…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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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…
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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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On July 22, 2020, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (“CFIA”) charged Hylife Foods with animal cruelty for an incident at its pig slaughterhouse in Neepawa, Manitoba nearly two years earlier. According to the CFIA, on September 18, 2018 slaughterhouse workers…
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This year’s #Voiceless4AnimalJustice campaign has officially wrapped up, and was a huge success for animals, thanks to our incredible community! In November 14, supporters across the country took a 24-hour vow of silence for the animals whose voices are so…
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Senator Murray Sinclair has introduced a groundbreaking Senate bill to protect great apes and elephants and even give animals legal standing and representation in some court proceedings. The bill, known as the Jane Goodall Act, is one of the most…
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In the Canadian pig farming industry, the majority of farms lock up pregnant pigs in barren metal cages called gestation crates. These crates are so small that the pigs cannot even turn around, express natural behaviours, or socialize with other…
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Last year, Canada passed a groundbreaking ban on whale and dolphin captivity, recognizing that keeping these majestic animals in concrete tanks is inherently cruel. Canadians overwhelmingly supported the new legislation. Canada’s new law will prevent future generations of these intelligent,…
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Animal Justice is calling for animal cruelty charges against a transporter after five pigs fell off a moving tractor trailer driving on the busy Highway 401 outside of Kingston, Ontario. Two of the terrified pigs were found on a nearby…
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Millions of wild animals are captured and traded each year for human entertainment, food, and traditional medicine, and for the exotic pet trade. This multi-billion dollar global trade causes unimaginable pain and suffering to animals taken from their natural habitat…
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Please note that the consultation period is now closed. The Manitoba government is consulting the public on potential “ag gag” (agricultural gag) laws in Manitoba, and now is the time to have your say to block these dangerous proposals. The…
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Guest blog by Hannah Sotropa. Fall has just begun, and we are gearing up for our 3rd annual #Voiceless4AnimalJustice campaign. Last year’s campaign was a huge success, due in part to generous sponsors such as Doshi Shop and Pixie Mood…
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Please note that the consultation period is now closed. Earlier this year, Ontario passed a dangerous new law that will cover up animal cruelty by outlawing undercover investigations at farms and slaughterhouses. Bill 156, Security from Trespass and Protecting Food…
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Guest blog post by journalist Jessica Scott-Reid, co-host of the Paw & Order podcast Not surprisingly, the second annual Canadian Animal Law Conference, held this past weekend, looked quite different from the conference held at the Schulich School of Law…
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Please note: job posting is now closed. About Animal Justice: Animal Justice is Canada’s leading charity devoted to using the law to protect animals. Our lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection legislation at all levels of government, ensure laws…
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Updated April 2021 Animal Justice is working to stop the spread of dangerous “agricultural gag” (or “ag gag”) laws in Canada. Ag gag laws seek to silence, or “gag”, whistleblowers, undercover journalists, and animal advocates, punishing them for exposing cruelty…
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Today, sections of the controversial Bill 156 come into force, making it an offence to stop or interfere with trucks carrying farmed animals to slaughterhouses. Bill 156, the Security from Trespass and Protecting Food Safety Act, is a troubling new…
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This article is written by Factory Farm Collective and originally posted on their website. Visit factoryfarmcollective.ca for more great content. Earlier this year, the Guardian examined the global live export trade and found that, based on 2017 FAO data, Canada was the 3rd top…
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A transport truck driver has avoided criminal prosecution in connection with the death of animal advocate Regan Russell. Regan was violently run over and killed last month by a truck taking pigs to slaughter outside Fearmans Pork slaughterhouse in Burlington,…
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This article is written by Factory Farm Collective and originally posted on their website. Visit factoryfarmcollective.ca for more great content. In June 2020, Ontario passed Bill 156, becoming the second province in Canada to pass an ag-gag law. Ontario’s Minister…
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As Canada’s only national animal law organization, Animal Justice regularly speaks out about animal suffering at farms and slaughterhouses. Whistleblower exposés have exposed horrific animal abuse at factory farms across the country and many standard practices – from keeping calves…
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“Whistle-blowers have been champions of truth and justice across our province, our country and this world. They have a role which has upheld democracy, which has spoken truth to power, which has brought justice to those who are oppressed, which…
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By Camille Labchuk, Executive Director of Animal Justice Animal cruelty in the farm industry simply can’t stand the spotlight. Numerous undercover exposés have exposed shocking mistreatment of the cows, pigs, and chickens who end up on our dinner plates. Instead…
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The Canadian meat industry is slaughtering more animals for food than ever before, according to government slaughter statistics analyzed by Animal Justice. In 2019, over 833 million land animals were killed at the hands of the meat industry—up drastically from…
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We’re so grateful for your support on #GivingTuesdayNow! #GivingTuesdayNow was a global day of giving on May 5, 2020 to non-profits hit especially hard by the pandemic, including Animal Justice. It’s the support of the community that allows us to…
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Strychnine is one of several poisons legally used in Canada to kill so-called “pests”, including wolves, coyotes, skunks, and Richardson’s ground squirrels. Of course, most people don’t think of these animals as pests. However, under Canada’s Pest Control Products Act,…
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An Ontario court has dismissed a case brought by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) challenging the removal of its anti-Canada Goose ads from Toronto transit shelters. The Divisional Court ruled that it did not have jurisdiction to…
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On February 18, 2020, shocking footage of animal cruelty emerged from inside a King Cole Ducks factory farm in Whitchurch-Stouffville, Ontario. Animal advocates held a protest outside the farm Ontario, and some of those present then entered a dimly lit,…
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Notorious marine park SeaWorld is asking the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (“NOAA”) for a permit to import a Pacific white-sided dolphin named Helen from Canada’s Vancouver Aquarium. According to the permit application, Helen would be transferred to SeaWorld’s…
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We’re living in strange times amid the corona crisis, and we could all use a little uplifting right now. We’ve compiled 10 of our favourite videos of animals living their best lives at sanctuaries. We hope these clips bring a…
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Animal Justice is pleased to announce its first-ever annual Student Research Paper Contest! 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 pressing legal…
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These days, it’s all about staying home to flatten the curve of COVID-19, and to protect our most vulnerable members of society. Looking for something to watch to pass the time? We’ve compiled a list of 14 documentaries and docuseries…
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In only a few weeks, the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the world as we know it. There is much uncertainty, but the good news is that so-called “ag gag” laws in Canada won’t be moving ahead—for now. These dangerous laws…
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After careful consideration, Animal Justice has chosen to postpone our Gala 2020: Illumination out of concern over the spread of COVID-19. The gala was scheduled to be held at the Palais Royale in Toronto on April 25, 2020. We take…
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Please note that there have been new developments in our ongoing efforts to protect whales from suffering in captivity. Visit this page for more up-to-date information. This week, The Whale Sanctuary Project announced it has chosen a site in Nova…
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The Government of Ontario is proposing to permanently bring back the spring bear hunt – a reckless move opposed by a range of conservation and animal protection groups across the province. Through its Environmental Registry of Ontario (ERO) posting, the…
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