Footage illustrates inhumane treatment of animals in rodeo events
The return of the Chilliwack rodeo this year, along with a controversial new rodeo held in Langley Township, has raised concerns about the well-being and welfare of animals made to perform in rodeo events. Video footage taken at both rodeos this summer shows stressed and frightened animals being roughly handled and deliberately agitated into fleeing and bucking.
Take Action
Municipal elections are taking place in British Columbia on October 15th. The lead up to these elections is a crucial opportunity to raise your concerns with candidates running for Mayor and Council in your community about the inhumane treatment of animals in rodeo events and note it as an election issue for you.
Specifically, you may wish to ask candidates the following question:
If elected, will you support a municipal bylaw that follows the lead of other municipalities, like the City of Vancouver and District of North Vancouver, in prohibiting inhumane rodeo events and practices, such as roping, bucking, wrestling, mutton busting, and the use of flank straps and spurs? Tip: To find your local candidates, visit your municipality’s website or search for “[Your municipality’s name] local election 2022”. You can find the list of candidates in Chilliwack and Langley Township below.
Chilliwack candidates
| Candidate name | Email (if available) |
|---|---|
| Mayoral candidates | |
| Ian Carmichael | carmichael.for.mayor@gmail.com |
| Ken Popove (incumbent) | reelectpopoveformayor@gmail.com |
| Councillor candidates | |
| Amber Price | info@amberprice.ca |
| Brent Bowker | Brent@VoteBowker.ca |
| Bud Mercer (incumbent) | budmercer2022@gmail.com |
| Chris Kloot (incumbent) | klootchris@gmail.com |
| Craig Hill | *no public email found |
| Debora Soutar | soutar.debora49@gmail.com |
| Harv Westeringh (incumbent) | info@vote4harv.ca |
| Jared Mumford | vote@jaredmumford.com |
| Jason Lum (incumbent) | Contact form |
| Jeff Shields (incumbent) | info@jeffshields.ca |
| Mike McLatchy | Contact form |
| Nicole Huitema Read | nicolehuitemaread@gmail.com |