Mark Holland launched campaign for animal cruelty bill

You will find this information on Mark Holland's Animal Issue Page.

Mark Holland launches campaign for animal cruelty bill

Mark Holland believes strongly in the need to reform the Criminal Code to better protect animals from intentional cruelty, and he has worked to raise the profile of this issue since first being elected in 2004.

On October 30, 2006, Mark introduced Bill C-373 in the House of Commons, which is identical to the former Bill C-50, introduced by the Liberal government in the 38th Parliament. He is also launching a national campaign for animal cruelty law reform, which he hopes to make an all-party effort, and he is urging the Conservative government to introduce his bill as government legislation.

Provisions of the Criminal Code dealing with animal cruelty have changed very little since 1892 and they are extremely antiquated. This has often made it difficult to obtain convictions against animal abusers, and when convictions are obtained, the penalties are often too light. These laws were also written at a time when animals were protected by virtue of being property.

Shocking cases of animal abuse are often in the news. Most recently, in Didsbury, Alberta, a Labrador-border collie cross named Daisy Duke was tortured and dragged for a kilometre behind a vehicle, with duct tape around her legs and mouth and leaving a trail of blood. She had to be euthanized she was so badly injured, and her owner and a juvenile have been charged.

Serious violent criminals such as serial killers often begin with animal abuse, which can be an early indicator of crimes against people. Therefore, effective animal cruelty legislation can allow the justice system to intervene early in people who might go on to other serious crimes.

In 1999, the federal government introduced legislation to reform animal cruelty provisions as part of a larger omnibus bill of Criminal Code reforms. Over the years, the bill was broken up and many changes were made to address concerns of hunters, anglers, and others who use animals in their livelihoods. The revised bill was actually passed by the House of Commons several times in the springs of 2002 and 2003, but the House of Commons and Senate could not agree on amendments, and the bill has died a number of times on the order paper. Bill C-50, introduced in May 2005, was similar to previous bills, but addressed a concern raised in the Senate about aboriginal hunting rights. C-373 makes no changes from the former C-50.

The bill has always enjoyed support from major animal welfare groups, but in the fall of 2004, it obtained the support of most organizations representing animal use industries. This support, however, was shattered when an ineffective bill was introduced as a diversionary tactic in the Senate by Senator John G. Bryden. That bill, currently known as S-213, is strongly opposed by Mark and by animal welfare organizations such as the Canadian Federation of Humane Societies.

Please watch this page for further information about this initiative.

What can you do to help?

Many Canadians have asked how they can help to pass effective animal cruelty legislation. There are a number of things you can do, but the most helpful is to write to your Member of Parliament, Senators, and Justice Minister Vic Toews. We would like MPs and Senators to do the following:

Indicate that they wish to join an all-party team of MPs and Senators in support of the general principles of C-373.

Indicate that they oppose Bill S-213, the bill introduced by Senator John G. Bryden, which is inadequate and is a diversionary tactic.

Urge the government to introduce a government bill based on C-373.

For more information, including how to contact your MP, Senators and Minister Toews, please click here.