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Senator John Bryden's animal cruelty bill - Bill S-213 ( DOC ) |
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| Source: | Greg Farrant, OFAH | Date: | February 13, 2007 | |
| OFAH FILE: 790AC January 17, 2007 Dear Member of Parliament : On behalf of the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (O.F.A.H.), the largest nonprofit conservation-based organization in Ontario, our 80,000 members and 650 member clubs across the province, I am writing with respect to Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals). It is important to note that at the beginning of the long debate over animal cruelty legislation in Canada, which began several years ago with the introduction of Bill C-17 by a former government, the animal rights community was calling for the increase of fines and penalties against those who commit cruelty against animals. Over the course of the debate on the above bill, and during debate over subsequent government Bills C-15B, C-10B, C-22 and C-50, none of which were passed into law, the initial call for increased fines and penalties became convoluted by demands by the same animal rights community for broad-sweeping changes to the Criminal Code with respect to cruelty to animals. Lost in the discussion was the original desire to achieve increased fines and penalties to address issues of cruelty. Because of this, and because of the threat to the outdoor, agricultural and medical research communities posed by clauses in each of the five government bills, we were forced to oppose the legislation unless amendments were made to provide us with the same protections that currently exist in law, which were not forthcoming. In fact, in supporting these bills, the animal rights community made it patently clear that once passed, they intended to use the legislation to pursue legal action against anglers, hunters, farmers, medical researchers and others in the animal use community. All right thinking people support the increase of fines and penalties against anyone who commits cruelty against animals, including the O.F.A.H. Because of this, we are strongly supportive of Bill S-213, An Act to amend the Criminal Code (cruelty to animals) introduced by Senator John Bryden. This bill simply provides for increased fines and penalties against anyone committing cruelty against animals under the current law, without impacting negatively on the outdoor, agricultural or medical research communities. The government has indicated that it intends to support Bill S-213 when it is sent to the House. It is our understanding that the Liberal Rural Caucus has also indicated that its members will be supporting the legislation. This bill represents the best opportunity for making progress on this issue and finally bringing into force increased fines and penalties against anyone who commits cruelty against animals. We urge you to support Bill S-213, and look forward to appearing before the Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs to outline our position more fully, as we have done in the past on previous incarnations of animal cruelty legislation. Yours in Conservation, Greg Farrant Government Relations Manager cc: Right Honourable Stephen Harper, Prime Minister Honourable Stephen Dion, Leader of the Official Opposition Gilles Duceppe Jack Layton Honourable John G. Bryden, Senator Canadian Wildlife Federation Affiliates Canadian Sportfishing Industry Association O.F.A.H. Board of Directors Michael A. Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director Dr. Terry Quinney, O.F.A.H. Provincial Manager of Fish & Wildlife Services |
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