Author: Emily Pickett

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The 2026 B.C. rodeo season is underway and so are efforts to end inhumane rodeo events

  • The start of B.C.’s 2026 rodeo season has brought renewed animal welfare and safety concerns, with incidents documented at the Cloverdale and Clinton rodeos, where visibly stressed animals fell, resisted handlers, and were subjected to inhumane treatment, including the potential illegal use of electric prods.
  • These are not isolated incidents. The VHS has documented rodeos across the province over the years, filing multiple cruelty complaints and raising concerns directly with decision-makers about inhumane handling and treatment of animals.
  • Despite this, the B.C. government continues to fund rodeos with public money while failing to close loopholes that leave animals used in rodeo without meaningful protection from suffering, injury, and death.

TAKE ACTION: Call on decision-makers to stop directing public funds to rodeo events and to strengthen protections for animals used in entertainment.

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Watch the 2026 Clinton Rodeo footage
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Take action for animals! 

Join VHS in calling on B.C.’s Ministry of Tourism to exclude rodeos from publicly funded grant programs, and urging provincial decision-makers to strengthen protections for animals used in entertainment and end inhumane rodeo events.

Horse and rider injured at Cloverdale

B.C.’s largest rodeo, the Cloverdale Rodeo and Country Fair, got the season off to a troubling start when a horse and rider became tangled during a saddle bronc event, and both fell and were injured. The rider was taken by ambulance to hospital; both are reported to be recovering.

While the incident drew media attention, it is far from isolated.

Stress and suffering at Clinton Rodeo

Animal Cruelty at the 2026 Clinton Rodeo.

Animals used in rodeos continue to face serious welfare risks in B.C. Animals deserve stronger protections, and taxpayer dollars should not support events where animals are put at risk for entertainment. Take quick action for animals used in rodeos through the link in our bio.

Just one week later, footage from the Clinton Rodeo captured additional concerns: visibly stressed and agitated animals falling, fleeing, and resisting handlers, alongside inhumane and potentially illegal handling and treatment of animals.

Four incidents at Clinton were serious enough that the VHS submitted a formal cruelty complaint to the BC SPCA, including:

  • A horse was repeatedly whipped while a rider attempted to position the animal for a steer wrestling event, despite clear signs of agitation.
  • A bull was repeatedly struck with a paddle by a handler attempting to move the animal, despite signs of stress.
  • In two separate incidents, animals were repeatedly shocked with electric prods while confined in chutes and carrying riders.
Take action now for animals used in rodeos

A pattern, not an exception 

These incidents are the latest in a long-running pattern. The VHS has documented numerous B.C. rodeos over the years and filed cruelty complaints related to inhumane handling and treatment of animals, including potentially illegal use of electric prods, animals appearing to be in distress, and animals being hit, kicked, and having their ears and tails pulled and twisted to make them flee or buck.

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Help more animal lovers learn about this opportunity.

Share this graphic on your social media and encourage others to write to their decision-makers.

2026 BC Rodeo Share Graphic

Government funding continues while protections lag

Despite documented welfare concerns raised directly with provincial decision-makers, the B.C. government continues to provide public funding to rodeos through the Ministry of Tourism’s Destination Events Program. In 2026, the B.C. government awarded more than $400,000 to events that include rodeo.

At the same time, animals used in rodeos have very limited legal protection in practice. B.C.’s Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act prohibits causing or permitting an animal to be in distress, including situations involving pain, suffering, or injury, and requires that those responsible protect animals from circumstances likely to cause distress.

However, those protections do not apply where distress results from activities carried out in line with “reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal management.”

There are no regulations relating to rodeo and no “reasonable and generally accepted practices” defined in the Act or associated regulations relating to the treatment of animals used in rodeo. There is also no independent, third-party oversight of rodeos. Instead, the rodeo industry makes its own rules, which enforcement agencies look to in order to determine what are reasonable and generally accepted practices of animal management for the industry.

In practice, the rodeo industry is allowed to regulate itself with virtually no oversight.

Take action for animals!

Join the VHS in calling on B.C.’s Ministry of Tourism to exclude rodeos from publicly funded grant programs, and urging provincial decision-makers to strengthen protections for animals used in entertainment and end inhumane rodeo events.

Take action now for animals used in rodeos

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A major win for exotic cats!

Close young serval cat (Felis serval)
Close lying young serval cat (Felis serval)

Wild cats like servals, leopard cats, and ocelots belong in the wild, not in private homes. That’s why the VHS welcomed a new provincial ban on the breeding, sale, public display, and future ownership of exotic cats in B.C.

During the province’s consultation period, the VHS submitted recommendations supporting the ban and encouraged compassionate British Columbians to share their concerns about the exotic pet trade.

Thanks to widespread public support, no more exotic cats will be brought into captivity as pets in B.C. While animals already in B.C. can be kept with a permit as long as welfare and safety standards are met, the province is taking an important step toward preventing future suffering.

Exotic cats are wild animals with complex physical and behavioural needs that cannot be met in a household environment. Many experience stress, poor welfare, and serious health concerns when kept as pets. They can also pose risks to people, other animals, and local ecosystems if they escape.
The VHS continues to encourage the government to strengthen protections for other exotic pets facing similar welfare concerns.

Thank you for speaking up for exotic cats and supporting advocacy that helped make this important win possible. Together, compassionate people across B.C. are helping create a safer, kinder future for wild animals.

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Welfare concerns renewed after fall involving horse and rider during bucking event at Cloverdale Rodeo 

Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals. Bucking event at Calgary Stampede.

  • A horse and rider are recovering after a saddle bronc bucking incident at the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo.
  • The incident raises renewed concerns about high-risk and high-stress rodeo events that put both people and animals in danger.
  • Rodeo events like saddle bronc riding rely on animals reacting under pressure, which can cause fear, stress, and risk of injury.
  • The VHS is calling for an end to inhumane rodeo events and to the use of taxpayer dollars to support them.
Learn more about welfare concerns
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Take action: Ask decision-makers to stop using public funds to support rodeo events and to strengthen protections for animals used in entertainment. 

Image credit: Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals

A horse and rider are recovering after a saddle bronc incident at this past weekend’s Cloverdale Rodeo, renewing concerns about high-risk and high-stress rodeo events that put both people and animals in danger. 

According to the Surrey Now-Leader, the incident took place on Saturday night during the 2026 Cloverdale Rodeo. Rider Nick Patterson and the horse Spring Season became tangled during a saddle bronc bucking event and went down together. Patterson was transported by ambulance for further evaluation and later released, while Spring Season is reportedly recovering. 

The reported recovery of both Spring Season and Patterson is welcome news. Still, the incident raises broader safety and animal welfare concerns.

Rodeo poses a risk to both human participants and animals, but unlike humans, the animals did not choose to be there. 

Rodeo events like saddle bronc riding rely on animals reacting under pressure, putting both human participants and animals at risk of stress and injury.  

For example, in saddle bronc riding and other bucking events, animals are confined in chutes and released into an arena for an event built around provoking or maintaining a bucking response. Equipment and practices such as flank straps and spurring add pressure to the animal’s experience.  

bull riding at a rodeo

Image: bull riding/bucking event at Chilliwack rodeo

Animal welfare is about more than whether an animal survives or avoids visible injury.

It includes their physical health, emotional state, ability to express natural behaviours, freedom from fear, pain, and distress, and ability to have some control over what happens to them. 

Incidents like this also point to the need for stronger public policy, including ending public funding for rodeo events and strengthening regulations to better protect animals. 

That is why the VHS continues to call for an end to rodeo events that cause animal suffering, stress, injury, and death.  

Communities can come together, celebrate tradition, and enjoy local events without putting animals through fear and stress for public entertainment. 

Take action now for animal welfare
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New ‘Fear Factor’ show filmed in B.C. prompts cruelty complaints: Learn more & take action 

Update

Season one of Fear Factor: House of Fear has ended, and a new special is set to air in May. Please scroll down for current actions and stay tuned for additional news. See the Current Campaigns page for more ways you can help animals.

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  • A recently released Fear Factor: House of Fear episode was filmed in Metro Vancouver and involved local animal handlers.
  • The episode has raised serious animal welfare concerns and prompted the VHS to file cruelty complaints.
  • In future episodes yet to air, further incidents of stressful and inhumane treatment of animals are depicted. 
  • The first episode involved putting contestants in enclosed containers and dropping rats, pigeons, geckos, and snakes onto them from above. 
  • The chaotic conditions presented a clear risk of significant stress, suffering, and injury for the animals. 
  • Other episodes show further concerning treatment of animals, including a contestant in a closed container with snakes and a dead rat in the contestant’s mouth.
  • The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has filed a cruelty complaint with the BC SPCA, and has written to various decision-makers, including the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC); the show’s production company, Endemol Shine North America; and the show’s Canadian broadcaster, CTV.
  • The VHS is calling on CTV to stop airing Fear Factor: House of Fear. 

TAKE ACTION: Join the VHS in filing complaints the show’s production company, Endemol Shine North America, and urge the show’s Canadian broadcaster, CTV, to stop airing Fear Factor: House of Fear.  

Submit complaints
Learn more

Submit complaints

  1. Tell CTV: animal cruelty isn’t entertainment and urge them, as the show’s Canadian broadcaster, to stop airing Fear Factor: House of Fear. 
  2. Submit a complaint to the production company, Endemol Shine North America.
  3. Please see the update below regarding episode complaints submitted to the Canadian Broadcast Standards Council (CBSC).
    • Update from CBSC website: “The CBSC has received a large number of complaints concerning an episode of Fear Factor on CTV. To ensure that all complaints are dealt with efficiently and in a timely manner, the CBSC limits the number of complaints it will accept in respect of the same broadcast. The CBSC process does not vary based on the number of complaints made. The same consideration is given to one single valid complaint as to multiple complaints on the same matter. The CBSC is now dealing with the episode on CTV under its normal process. As a result, no further complaints will be accepted by the CBSC on this issue.”

Depicting animals as props in entertainment sends the wrong message about animal welfare. 

Putting animals in stressful, high-risk situations is cruel and normalizes using animals for human entertainment at the expense of their welfare.

Credit: ‘Fear Factor: House of Fear.’

The practices shown contradict humane handling.

Animals are dropped into containers and onto frightened contestants and other animals, escalating panic and risk of injury. This does not model calm, careful, welfare-first handling, and it undermines the animals’ complex care needs. It’s especially troubling that local handlers would participate in, or endorse, this treatment. 

Credit: ‘Fear Factor: House of Fear.’

The principles of One Health, One Welfare recognizes that human, environmental, and animal health and well-being are interconnected. 

Fear Factor: House of Fear fails to uphold standards for: 

Welfare: Animals and contestants are placed in highly stressful conditions without knowing what will happen next.  One contestant is filmed repeatedly saying they want to leave the enclosure and is ignored, while animals cannot consent to their involvement in filming. 

Health & safety: Both humans and animals are visibly distressed. Stressed animals are more likely to bite and scratch and to shed contagious viruses and pathogens that can pose a health risk to people. Concerningly, the contestant in the container with rats is filmed stating that the the rats were urinating and defecating in the enclosure, highlighting this risk. When people are in distress and afraid, they may throw or harm animals in attempts to get away from them. 

Credit: ‘Fear Factor: House of Fear.’ Photo by Serguei Bachlakov VIA RealityBlurred.com
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VHS responds to Hastings Racecourse announcement of end to horse racing

A horse at rest in a paddock

The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) has learned that Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse is ending horse racing effective immediately. This announcement follows recent government funding changes, including an end to casino slot machine revenue being provided to the horse racing industry, and declining attendance, shrinking revenues, and increasing animal welfare concerns in recent years.  

A VHS-commissioned report released earlier this year highlighted decades of decline at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse and its dependence on public subsidies to remain operational. The report also raised concerns about the welfare of horses used in racing. Recent data illustrates the serious risks horses face. At Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse, at least 14 horses have died since 2023. According to the B.C. Gaming & Policy Enforcement Branch, the 2024 fatality rate at Hastings reached 1.78 deaths per 1,000 starts, which is markedly higher than the North American industry average of 1.11 and nearly double the rate at tracks operating under stronger safety regulations (0.90). 

This announcement marks a milestone toward a future in which animals are not bred, used, and put at risk for entertainment. At the same time, the VHS recognizes the uncertainty the decision creates for the people and animals currently connected to B.C.’s horse racing industry. 

While perspectives on horse racing vary, we hope all parties share a common priority: ensuring that every horse currently involved in racing is provided with a safe, secure, and compassionate retirement. We encourage the provincial government and industry stakeholders to provide support for both workers and animals alike in transitioning away from the horse racing industry. 

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B.C. Government ends slot machine funding for horse racing

  • As of January 31, 2026, the B.C. Government will no longer provide casino slot machine revenue to the horse racing industry.
  • This marks a meaningful step toward phasing out an industry that has long depended on government funding, despite declining public interest, shrinking revenues, and ongoing concerns about the welfare of horses used in racing.
  • The VHS welcomes this progress while acknowledging the uncertainty for those currently involved in the horse racing industry.
  • Government and industry are urged to prioritize a safe, compassionate retirement for all horses and to support both workers and animals through the industry’s transition.
Read the news
Read the report
Welfare concerns

Province to cut slot machine revenue for Hastings Racecourse

The cut signals what may be another nail in the coffin for B.C’s last horse track.

“Even with continued government investment from casino-generated revenue, the industry is not sustainable due to declining revenues, public participation and attendance, a letter from the province reads.”

“Government officials said the amount of slot machine income that went to the horse racing industry was about $8 to $10 million annually.”

What will happen to the horse racing industry?

While media reports state that it is unknown whether the 2026 horse racing season will go forward, statements from industry stakeholders and the B.C. government observe that declining revenues and public attendance make horse racing unsustainable in the province.

A recent VHS report outlines the high racing-related fatality rate, including at least 14 horse deaths since 2023, and the long-term decline in attendance and revenue at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. The report recommends that the City of Vancouver end horse racing at Vancouver’s Hastings Park when the current Operating Agreement expires in 2026. 

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Slot machine revenue for Hastings Racecourse will be pulled just months before the racetrack’s lease ends with the City of Vancouver in 2026.

More than 1,500 advocates have already signed a petition calling for the lease to not be renewed, supporting an end to horse racing at B.C.’s last racetrack.

Petition

Why has the VHS been raising awareness about horse racing?

Deaths at Vancouver racecourse

Hastings Racecourse has seen a concerning pattern of horse deaths, including eight in 2023, four in 2024, and at least two between April and June 2025. In 2024, the rate of horse deaths at Hastings was 1.78 per 1,000 starts—much higher than the industry average of 1.11 and nearly double that of tracks under stricter safety rules (0.90).

Early start, lifelong harm

Most horses start training and/or racing at just 2 years old, before their bones are fully developed. This puts them at high risk for serious injuries and early decline. Thoroughbred horses are often overbred for speed rather than skeletal strength, making their legs susceptible to fatal injury. 

Painful & stressful practices

Horses often endure harsh training methods and uncomfortable equipment, like whips and tight mouth bits, that can cause stress and pain.

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New report calls for end to horse racing at Vancouver track

  • A new VHS report is urging Vancouver city council to end horse racing at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse, citing persistent animal welfare concerns and the long-term decline of the industry.
  • The report comes after the preventable death of a horse at Hastings on June 8th. The horse, Gem Dancer, collapsed, went into distress and died of suspected heat exhaustion after racing during a heat warning.
  • Gem Dancer’s death marks the second known horse fatality at Hastings in 2025 and follows a troubling trend—four horses died at Hastings in 2024, and eight more in 2023.
  • The racing-related fatality rate at Hastings racecourse is markedly higher than the industry average, raising concerns about the potential for more deaths with the 2025 race season underway.

TAKE ACTION: Sign the pledge to not attend horse races and the VHS will update Vancouver city council about the number of pledge signatures.

Take the pledge
Read the report
Welfare concerns

Sign the pledge to not attend horse races and the VHS will update Vancouver city council regarding the number of pledge signatures.

Report: Considerations for the discontinuation of horse racing at Hastings Park

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Key welfare concerns

Horses used in the high-pressure racing industry are subjected to stress, pain, and the risk of injury or death.

These harms result from selective breeding practices, aversive training methods, and the use of painful equipment such as whips, bits, and tongue ties.

Beginning racing or training at a young age poses health risks.

Typically, horses begin racing at around two years of age. Research has shown that initiating high-intensity activities at such a young age is associated with high rates of injury and early decline.

“Retired” horses face an uncertain future.

Most racehorses retire between the ages of four and six. When these horses can no longer be re-homed, used for breeding, or otherwise used to generate profit, they face an uncertain fate and may end up at auction and ultimately be slaughtered.

The racing fatality rate at Hastings is significantly higher than the industry average.

The racing-related fatality rate at Hastings in 2024 was 1.78 per thousand starts. This is markedly higher than the 2024 industry average of 1.11 per thousand starts and almost double the 0.90 fatality rate at tracks regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority.

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Media Release

Horse Dies from Suspected Heat Exhaustion After Racing During Vancouver Heat Wave

VANCOUVER, June 11, 2025 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is sounding the alarm following the recent suspected heat-exhausted death of a horse named Gem Dancer at Vancouver’s Hastings racecourse. 

B.C.’s Gaming & Policy Enforcement branch confirmed via email that on June 8, 2025, Gem Dancer began showing signs of distress while being led off the track following the race and soon collapsed. Despite efforts to cool the horse down, and after being in distress for approximately 2 minutes, Gem Dancer became unresponsive and was pronounced dead. 

“This horse was literally run to their own death for the sake of public entertainment,” said VHS Campaign Director, Emily Pickett. “It’s incredibly irresponsible to race horses in the midst of a heat warning. Gem Dancer’s senseless death demonstrates how horses in the racing industry are exploited for profit, pushed beyond their limit and raced to the point of injury and death.”  

Gem Dancer’s death marks the second known horse death at Hastings racecourse this year. On April 13th, just weeks before the start of the 2025 racing season, a 3-year old horse named Wynn Magic suffered a compound leg fracture during a timed workout and was subsequently euthanized.  

The VHS is deeply concerned that the 2025 race season will continue to see more tragic and avoidable injuries and deaths, pointing to the four horse fatalities at Hastings in 2024 and eight in 2023. 

The B.C. Gaming & Policy Enforcement Branch confirmed via email that the racing-related fatality rate at Hastings racecourse in 2024 was 1.78 per thousand starts. This is markedly higher than the 2024 industry average of 1.11 across U.S. and Canadian tracks that report to the Equine Injury Database, and almost double the 0.90 fatality rate at tracks regulated by the Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA). 

The VHS continues to highlight welfare concerns within the industry. The use of stressful and aversive training methods, reliance on painful tools like whips and bits, and breeding practices that prioritize speed over skeletal strength, have no place in modern society. Even if horses do not die from heat exhaustion or a being euthanized from a broken leg, horses deemed no longer profitable at the end of their short careers may be sent to auction and ultimately slaughtered. 

The organization is urging the public to pledge not to attend horse races and is reiterating calls for decision-makers to invest in alternative community events – ones that bring people together without putting animals at risk. 

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society       

For more information, contact Emily Pickett: (604) 416-2901, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca   

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Media Release

Hastings horse death just weeks before start of race season prompts renewed calls for change

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VANCOUVER, April 17, 2025 – The Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) is reiterating concerns after learning that a 3-year-old horse was injured and euthanized during a recent timed workout at Vancouver’s Hastings Racecourse. 

On April 13, 2025, a horse named Wynn Magic suffered a compound fracture to the left front leg and was euthanized, B.C.’s Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch (GPEB), which oversees horse racing in the province, confirmed to the VHS in an email.  

This death comes just weeks before the scheduled start of the 2025 horse racing season at Hastings and follows a controversial 2024 racing season, which resulted in four horse fatalities. In 2023, there were eight horse fatalities at Hastings. The VHS is concerned that the 2025 season will see more tragic and avoidable horse injuries and fatalities.  

“It’s not a matter of if, but when, the next horse will lose their life entertaining a crowd,” said VHS Executive Director, Amy Morris. “That’s why we’re urging the public to rethink attending horse races and calling on decision-makers to invest in alternative community events – ones that bring people together without putting animals at risk.” 

The organization has also raised concerns regarding welfare issues around horse racing, including stressful, aversive training methods, the use of painful tools like whips and bits, the breeding of thoroughbred horses for speed rather than skeletal strength, and the risk of being auctioned off for slaughter for horses who are no longer profitable at the end of their short careers. 

The VHS is encouraging the public to take the organization’s pledge not to attend horse races and instead choose entertainment events free of animal suffering.  

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SOURCE Vancouver Humane Society      

For more information, contact Amy Morris: (604) 993-0167, amy@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca  

Categories
Media Release

Port Moody City Council votes to prohibit mobile live animal programs in Port Moody

January 23, 2025. For immediate release.

The BC SPCA and the Vancouver Humane Society (VHS) are celebrating Port Moody City Council’s decision to prohibit mobile live animal programs, also known as mobile petting zoos, in Port Moody. In addition to farm animals, mobile live animal programs may include exotic animals like reptiles and amphibians. This move reflects growing public awareness and concern for the well-being of animals used for entertainment. 

Port Moody Councillor Kyla Knowles introduced the motion in 2023 out of concern for the treatment and handling of animals brought into the community and put on display for people’s entertainment. “The City of Port Moody and its Council extends respect and care to all residents, including animals,” says Knowles.  “We believe in gently co-existing with our wild neighbours and ensuring our actions don’t harm them.  We lead by example, and banning mobile petting zoos is an easy, low-barrier step to show our commitment to animal welfare in Port Moody.” 

The BC SPCA and VHS, along with a number of caring Port Moody residents, expressed concerns about the welfare of animals at mobile petting zoos through letters and presentations to Council. 

“The BC SPCA is thrilled to see local governments like the City of Port Moody make progressive policy decisions to enhance animal welfare in their communities,” says Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal welfare specialist. “Making our province a safer, more caring place for animals and people requires change at all levels of government and Port Moody has demonstrated that they are a leader in this regard. We encourage other local governments, and the provincial government, to make similar changes to their policies and regulations.” 

“We are very grateful to Port Moody’s Council for once again leading the charge in protecting animal welfare,” says Emily Pickett, VHS campaign director. “The residents of Port Moody have demonstrated that they care deeply about animals, and this vote shows that decision-makers are listening to their concerns.” 

This is not the first time Port Moody has taken a stand for animal welfare. In 2023, the Council unanimously voted to ban rodeos after receiving strong support from residents.   

While petting zoos are often marketed as a fun and educational experience, particularly for families and children, research indicates there is little positive educational value. Mobile petting zoos also present numerous animal welfare and public health and safety concerns: 

  • Even healthy-looking animals can transmit pathogens (including E. coli, Salmonella and Avian flu) to people and other animals, and stressed animals are more likely to shed pathogens. Young children are most at risk of infection as they’re the least likely to remember to wash their hands after touching animals and have an increased risk of serious illness because their immune systems aren’t fully developed, 
  • Animals in petting zoos are typically subjected to noisy crowds of people in unfamiliar spaces and have little or no opportunity to hide or rest. They are often handled roughly or improperly by members of the public or even untrained staff and volunteers,
  • Baby animals are particularly popular at petting zoos. The demand for a steady supply of baby animals can result in poor breeding practices, the separation of young from their mothers, and an overabundance of species with low adoption and high abandonment rates, 
  • Transporting animals to and from mobile petting zoos and regularly introducing them to unfamiliar places and situations increases their stress and the risk of injury and distress, 
  • Stressed animals are also more likely to bite, scratch, kick or exhibit defensive behaviours,
  • There are no minimum standards or accreditation for petting zoos in British Columbia, and it is difficult for City staff to determine if the animals are being treated properly when they are not on display to the public. 

For more information on the BC SPCA’s advocacy work, please visit spca.bc.ca/ways-to-help/take-action.

For more information on the VHS’s advocacy work, please visit vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca/our-work/

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For more information:

Nadia Xenakis, the BC SPCA’s wild animal specialist, media@spca.bc.ca

Emily Pickett, the Vancouver Humane Society’s campaign director, emily@vancouverhumanesociety.bc.ca