Photos: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
- December 16, 2025 marks four years since the federal Liberal government promised to ban live horse export for slaughter, yet the commitment remains unfulfilled.
- In that time, more than 10,700 horses have been shipped on long, stressful overseas flights, destined for slaughter despite widespread public opposition.
- These grueling 20+ hour journeys where horses are confined in cramped crates have led to injuries, extreme exhaustion, miscarriages, and deaths.
- Bill C-355, introduced in 2023 to end live horse export for slaughter, passed the House of Commons but stalled in the Senate and died with the 2025 election.
- With one of the most vocal Senators who previously blocked the bill now retired, Canadians are calling on the federal government to finally keep its promise and end this inhumane industry for good.
Tell your Member of Parliament and the Minister of Agriculture to prioritize an end to live horse export for slaughter
Step 1
Use your postal code to find your MP’s contact information and include the federal Minister of Agriculture, Honourable Heath MacDonald.
Agriculture Minister, Heath MacDonald: aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca
Step 2
Use the key points below to help you draft your email. Personalized emails are more impactful, so be sure to use your own words.
Why you’re writing:
- Share that you’re a constituent of the Member of Parliament;
- That you’re writing regarding Canada’s inhumane practice of live horse export for slaughter;
- That it’s the four year anniversary of the federal government’s promise to end live horse export for slaughter;
- That you’re urging the government to follow through on this promise and end the practice once and for all.
Why the issue matters to you:
Consider sharing a few of key issues below that most concern you:
- Horses are loaded into crowded crates and flown on lengthy and stressful journeys overseas, destined for slaughter.
- Horses can legally go 28 hours without food, water, or rest – though investigations show many journeys exceed this already inhumane time limit.
- Deaths and injuries are commonplace, with investigations uncovering extreme exhaustion, miscarriages, and even deaths during and soon after the flights. For example, 21 horses died in 13 months between May 2023-June 2024.
- More than 10,000 horses have been sent to their deaths since the government promised to ban live horse export for slaughter.
- Polling shows a strong majority of Canadians are opposed to live horse export for slaughter.
Reiterate your request:
- That you’re strongly urging them, as your elected representative and the Minister responsible for implementing a ban, to prioritize an end to live horse export for slaughter.
Ask for a reply:
- Thank them for their consideration of your request and ask that they respond to you at their earliest convenience, as this issue is important to you.