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 November 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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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 834 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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Canadians are becoming increasingly concerned about the treatment of animals raised and slaughtered for food. More and more people are avoiding or reducing consumption of meat and other animal products, while those who choose to consume eggs, dairy, and meat…
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Things are looking up for pit bulls in Ontario! A new private member’s bill, introduced last November, aims to repeal the long-standing ban on pit bulls and pit bull-type dogs in the province because the ban is ineffective, arbitrarily targets…
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Back in October, we told you about a proposal for a roadside animal attraction in Kearney, Ontario, that would confine bears and cheetahs. Animal Justice submitted comments to Kearney Town Council, as did our friends at Zoocheck and World Animal…
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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. In June, Animal Justice and other animal protection groups celebrated when Canada passed an…
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This year, Animal Justice is hosting a holiday party in Toronto, Vancouver and Ottawa—and you’re invited! Join us for an incredible evening with delicious vegan food from local restaurants, cocktails, a silent auction with fabulous prizes, and the premiere of…
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Thanks to our incredible supporters, #Voiceless4AnimalJustice 2019 was a huge success for animals! From October 16 to November 9, over 70 participants fundraised to support the lawyers at Animal Justice and to ensure we can continue to help overhaul Canada’s…
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Cats have an innate need to scratch. Our kitty companions find great pleasure in scratching trees, furniture, carpets or other in-home belongings. There are many reasons behind the behaviour, including to stretch their bodies, shorten and condition their claws, and…
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Animal advocates across Canada should be rejoicing after the recent federal election. The reason? More animal-friendly Members of Parliament than ever before will soon take their seats. Twenty-five of 27 candidates endorsed by Humane Voters Canada—an election-time initiative by Animal…
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Journalist Jessica Scott-Reid finds new perspectives and hope at inaugural Canadian Animal Law Conference When considering the world of animal rights and protection, it may be images of animal activists screaming on the streets, of gruesome undercover footage from puppy…
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Animal Justice is urging the town of Kearney, Ontario to disallow a proposed new roadside animal attraction confining bears and cheetahs. Keeping wild animals in captivity is wrong—for spectators, it’s a moment of pleasure, but for the animals, it’s a…
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Wolves, coyotes and moose in Ontario urgently need your help! Ontario is planning to weaken hunting laws so that coyotes and wolves can be shot and killed more easily in Northern Ontario. Officials are trying to justify expanding this brutal…
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Our hearts are full! The Summer Compassion Challenge has come to an end and was a smashing success thanks to our compassionate supporters. Together, we raised $50,114—and with the first $15,000 in new monthly gifts being matched by a generous donor,…
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False animal welfare claims are rampant in Canada This week, Animal Justice submitted comments to the Government of Canada regarding its proposed changes to labelling requirements in the Food and Drug Regulations and the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations. Animal…
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Animal Justice has been granted intervener status in a case challenging the removal of anti-Canada Goose ads from Toronto transit shelters. The case could have broad implications for animals, and will decide whether animal advocates have the right to advertise…
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For the first time in Canadian history, a law journal is dedicating an entire issue to the growing field of animal law. The 2019 issue of the Canadian Journal of Comparative and Contemporary Law is entitled Beyond Humanity: New Frontiers…
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Thanks to the support of Animal Justice, prosecutors in Leduc, Alberta have withdrawn charges against two animal advocates. Karin Nelson and Tove Reece were charged with the offence of “stunting” after hanging a banner on a highway overpass near the Edmonton…
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The federal government announced a new subsidy this week to help promote the cruel foie gras industry in Quebec. According to a government news release, the Department of Agriculture and Agri-foods is giving $123,000 to Deschambault Animal Science Research Centre to…
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On Monday, June 10, Canada passed Bill S-203, groundbreaking legislation to outlaw whale and dolphin captivity. Once the bill comes into effect, it will be a criminal offence to capture wild whales and dolphins from the ocean, confine them in…
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Everything is about to change for animal protection in Ontario. In March 2019, the Ontario SPCA announced it will no longer enforce animal cruelty laws in the province and is putting this public responsibility back in the hands of the government,…
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The Canadian government is taking firm steps to protect captive whales from cruelty and ban the shark fin trade before the next election. Senator Peter Harder, government representative in the Senate, introduced amendments at the Senate Fisheries Committee this week…
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The House of Commons voted unanimously on Wednesday to pass Bill C-84, government legislation that would outlaw all forms of bestiality, and close loopholes related to animal fighting. Bill C-84 was introduced last year in response to the 2016 Supreme…
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Prosecutors in London, Ontario withdrew all charges today against animal rights advocate Jenny McQueen. McQueen was facing charges of break and enter and mischief after entering a pig breeding facility in Lucan, Ontario that impregnates mother pigs so their piglets…
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Government slaughter reports analyzed by Animal Justice show that the Canadian meat industry is slaughtering more animals for food than ever before. A record-breaking 819 million land animals were killed in Canadian slaughterhouses in 2018—up from 800 million in 2017, 771…
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The Ontario SPCA has announced that it will withdraw from enforcing animal protection laws in the province of Ontario as of March 31, when its current funding agreement with the province expires. While many animal lovers may be concerned by…
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Ad Standards has confirmed that a misleading transit ad campaign paid for by the Dairy Farmers of Canada has been taken down! The advertisement claimed “there are zero growth hormones in milk produced in Canada”, but this is false. IGF-1…
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The House of Commons Justice Committee approved changes proposed by Animal Justice to Bill C-84, an animal cruelty bill that would improve laws related to bestiality and animal fighting. Bill C-84 would make all sexual abuse of animals illegal. Currently,…
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The much-awaited changes to the Canada Food Guide have been released! The newest edition encourages Canadians to move away from excess dairy and meat consumption, and consume more plant-based foods. The last time the Canada Food Guide was updated was…
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Animal Justice is a national animal law advocacy organization, leading the legal fight for animals in Canada. Our lawyers work to pass strong new animal protection legislation at all levels of government, ensure laws already on the books are vigorously…
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After hearing arguments from Animal Justice lawyers, an Ontario court has ruled that animal law enforcement by the OSPCA—a private charity—is unconstitutional because the agency is not sufficiently accountable or transparent. Animal Justice intervened in the case of Bogaerts v Attorney…
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For years, animal advocates have been fighting to shut down the horrific fur industry. It’s been a long, hard battle, but major victories in 2018 for fur-bearing animals have proven that times are finally changing! Over four million animals are…
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The holiday season is upon us! For many, this time of year represents peace, love and joy. But for animals confined on Canadian farms, there’s nothing kind or joyful about this time of year. Tragically, holiday feasts often fuel the…
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Ontario has announced that it’s amending its provincial slaughter regulations. The province will eliminate the need for a veterinarian to conduct post-mortem inspections at a slaughterhouse of an animal killed on a farm. However, a pre-slaughter inspection still needs to…
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After nearly three years of delay and obstruction, a bill to ban keeping whales and dolphins in captivity has finally passed through the Canadian Senate. Senators voted to pass Bill S-203 late on Tuesday, and the legislation will now make…
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Prosecutors in Oshawa, Ontario have withdrawn a criminal break and enter charge against animal advocate Malcolm Klimowicz, who was charged earlier this year after filming severe neglect and cruelty on a mink farm. The charge had prompted massive rallies outside…
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After a courtroom showdown and years of advocacy by Animal Justice, the federal government finally introduced legislation today to close Canada’s bestiality loophole. The new law also strengthens animal fighting offences. Animal Justice welcomes this news, but believes it is…
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We can’t thank you enough—#Voiceless4AnimalJustice was a smashing success. Together, we raised $28,164.32 for animals, exceeding our $25,000 fundraising goal! For three weeks, participants from coast to coast educated their friends, families and the public about why Canada’s animal protection…
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Fall is the in the air, and autumn fashion accessories are hitting the streets! Many products are still made with leather, fur and other animal-derived materials, but happily, cruelty-free fashion has never been easier. More and more brands are now…
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The province of Nova Scotia passed strong new animal protection legislation this week, becoming the first province in the country to make cat declawing illegal. The new laws also put an end to tail docking, ear cropping, devocalizing dogs, and…
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Records obtained by Animal Justice under freedom of information show that between 2014 and 2017, the University of British Columbia (UBC) received almost $2 million from at least eight separate dairy industry sources. The majority of the funds came from…
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Animal Justice is urging the federal government to fund innovative industries that save the lives of animals by creating humane, animal-free products. Specifically, Animal Justice is asking the government to invest in developing alternatives to animal testing, and invest in…
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A whistleblower who exposed horrific suffering on multiple Ontario fur farms will face a criminal trial. Malcolm Klimowicz was charged with break and enter earlier this year for visiting a mink farm near Oshawa, Ontario and filming the disturbing conditions…
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A new website exposing the truth about the number of animals killed by the meat industry has just launched in Canada. Animal Clock, already available in the US and the UK, raises awareness about the vast number of animals raised and…
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Every year in Canada, thousands of draft horses are exported by air to Japan, where they will be slaughtered for meat. Draft horses are by nature large. When horses of this size are packed together in small crates, they are…
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Sault Ste. Marie just passed a progressive new animal care and control by-law that will mean greater protections for animals. Among other things, the by-law enhances animal care standards, bans circuses from using live animals in performances, and prohibits new…
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On June 8, 2018 Animal Justice celebrated its 10-year anniversary with a glamorous gala at The Burroughes in downtown Toronto. This inspirational evening included a blue carpet entrance and photo backdrop, an memorable program, fabulous vegan food, and a rooftop…
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Van Boekel Farms has a habit of getting itself in the news. In 1994, the family pig farming business and its owner—Eric Van Boekel—were convicted for spilling manure into waterways, damaging the water and surrounding environment. Then, in 2011, they…
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Veterinarians in British Columbia will no longer be permitted to declaw cats, after the province’s College of Veterinarians banned the practice. The College of Veterinarians is the self-regulatory body for the veterinary profession, and sets standards of practice that vets…
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Last fall, you may remember that Animal Justice filed a lawsuit to protect the mountain lion, northern bobwhite, and dozens of other threatened and endangered species in the province of Ontario. Represented by lawyers from Ecojustice, we were concerned that…
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) has issued a “What We Heard” report about its planned overhaul of Canadian food labelling regulations. What We Heard reports are issued after stakeholders are consulted on proposed policy changes; themes in stakeholder feedback…
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Between January 2015 and November 2017, more than 470,000 farmed animals burned alive on Canadian farms. These animals would have endured frightening and agonizing deaths, trapped in cages or stalls with no chance to escape the smoke and flames. Most…
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Slaughter reports from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada show we killed over 800,756,236 land animals for food in 2017—up from 771 million in 2016 and 750 million in 2015. The growth is mostly because more chickens are being killed for meat.…
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In November 2016, Animal Justice filed a legal complaint with authorities over a misleading ad campaign that suggested that consuming of dairy is essential for human health. The ads, sponsored by the Dairy Farmers of Canada, were crafted to appear…
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This is a guest post from Fern Levitt, the award-winning documentary filmmaker behind Sled Dogs, the first film to expose the brutal reality of the dogsled racing and tourism industry. March 3, 2018 marked the start of the 46th annual Iditarod dogsled race in…
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TransLink Transit Police in Vancouver have ticketed an animal advocate for spreading awareness of animal cruelty by showing farm and slaughterhouse footage to passersby on the street. Geoff Rigear is a former undercover investigator on Canadian farms who now runs…
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Shock and outrage is spreading across Canada after news reports revealed that a B.C. couple butchered and ate a potbelly pig whom they adopted from the local SPCA. Molly, the potbelly pig, was rescued by the Cowichan & District branch…
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Two men accused of vicious animal cruelty, dogfighting, and firearm charges in Chatham, Ontario have escaped criminal conviction. A judge in the high-profile case threw out 67 charges against John Robert and Michel Gagnon after ruling that the case had…
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The federal government presented a new bill that updates the Fisheries Act this week, including restrictions on capturing wild whales and dolphins for the purpose of keeping them in captivity. The amendments would still allow exceptions to rescue cetaceans who…
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Nice try, Big Dairy. The dairy industry recently launched #Februdairy, a social media campaign aiming to promote dairy milk during the month of February. But before the campaign could even officially start, it quickly became a marketing failure. When public…
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At Animal Justice, we use the law to help animals. Sometimes that means using animal protection laws, but often it means using other laws, unrelated to animals, to hold industry accountable and shine a spotlight on the abuse animals endure.…
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British Columbia was in the news late last year for the incredible move to ban grizzly bear hunting province-wide. But the province is still no paradise for other animals. The B.C. government is quietly preparing to weaken a long list…
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Last year, we told you that the federal government is overhauling Canada’s decades-old slaughter regulations as part of a food safety modernization initiative. We told you that in the entire introduction to the update (over 22,000 words), animal protection wasn’t…
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Canada is experiencing an especially frigid winter, with temperatures feeling as low as -40° C even in southern parts of the country like Toronto. Many people will ride out this cold snap in the comfort of their homes, or bundle…
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Earlier this year, Health Canada published much-anticipated draft revisions to Canada’s outdated food guide. The proposed healthy eating recommendations would encourage Canadians to eat “vegetables, fruit, whole grains and protein-rich foods, especially plant-based sources of protein” and to mostly eat…
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Winter’s coming to Canada! Temperatures are plummeting, and many of us are scrambling to buy a new winter coat in preparation for the deep freeze that lies ahead. Tragically, some jacket and parka brands still use down fill for insulation,…
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Animals won big-time in Montreal’s municipal elections this weekend! Voters elected mayoral candidate Valérie Plante of Projet Montréal, and sent incumbent mayor Denis Coderre packing. Not only does mayor-elect Plante become the first woman to lead Montreal, she is also…
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The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) just fined a meat company $200,000 for five counts of false labelling. The fine was imposed after Eastern Meat Solutions was busted for packaging beef products as prime rib, Angus, and sirloin—when they were…
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On Thanksgiving, many Canadians give thanks for the wonderful things in our lives, including friends, family, and health. But turkeys killed and eaten for Thanksgiving dinner have nothing to be thankful for. Raised in appalling conditions on Canada’s industrial turkey…
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This week marks a gruesome anniversary: One year ago, a truck carrying 180 pigs to slaughter rolled over outside the notorious Fearmans Pork slaughterhouse in Burlington, Ontario. Dozens of baby pigs died in the horrific crash. For animal advocates on…
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The Canadian meat industry did NOT have a good week! Two disturbing meat stories grabbed headlines, reminding the public that animal cruelty, contamination, and false labelling run rampant in animal slaughter and processing. A Vancouver Sun article exposed B.C. slaughterhouse…
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