Stop delaying ban on cruel live horse exports for slaughter

It has been three years since the federal government promised to ban the shipping of gentle draft horses overseas for slaughter, an industry that causes unimaginable fear and suffering to these sensitive animals.
Bill C-355, which would ban the cruel practice, got through the House of Commons but has been stalled in the Senate since May.
Recent investigations and Japanese government data show the suffering far exceeds what the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) claims.
While the Senate delays action, horses continue to suffer and die as shipments continue.

Join animal protection organizations across Canada in urging the Senate to stop the deadly delay.

Take the quick action to email Canadian Senators

Use the email template below to send a message to Canadian Senators in your province, calling on them to move forward with bill C-355 without further delay.

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Most Canadians would be surprised to learn that Canada is one of the top exporters of live horses for slaughter. Every year, approximately 3,000-5,000 live draft horses are loaded onto planes, packed tightly with 3-4 horses per crate, and flown on lengthy journeys abroad where they will be slaughtered for meat.

Horses’ journeys to slaughter are long, dangerous and stressful

Horses can legally be transported for up to 28 hours without access to food, water or rest, but a recent exposé finds most journeys actually exceed this time limit.
As sensitive prey animals with strong fight or flight instincts, horses suffer greatly on long, loud, crowded trips.
Deaths and injuries are commonplace, with a recent exposé showing that 21 horses died in 13 months, between May 2023-June 2024. A Canadian Food Inspection Agency representative had previously reported they were only aware of five deaths since 2013.
Causes of death included dehydration, serious injuries incurred during flights, and painful miscarriages.

Canadians are calling for change

Recent polling shows just 22% of Canadians support the live horse export industry continuing.

The industry has long been opposed by organizations across Canada, including the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition and prominent animal advocates like singer-songwriter Jann Arden.

A federal parliamentary e-petition garnered more than 77,000 public signatures in support of a ban, making it one of the most popular animal-related federal petitions on record.

Horses continue to suffer due to delay of bill C-355

In December 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau directed the Minister of Agriculture, Marie-Claude Bibeau, to ban the live export of horses for slaughter. Three years later, horses continue to be shipped to their death as a result of delay in passing Bill C-355, which would end the practice of exporting live horses for slaughter.

Can you help protect horses from suffering through long journeys to slaughter?

Back to quick action

Learn more

Check out Canadian singer-songwriter Jann Arden’s #HorseShit campaign, which aims to end the practice of live horse export for slaughter.
Get an in-depth look at the horse export and slaughter industry, thanks to the work of the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC).
Read or listen to and share this episode of The Informed Animal Ally, the VHS’s monthly podcast, featuring guest speaker Sinikka Crosland of the CHDC.
Read and share the op-ed by the VHS and Animal Justice, published in the Daily Hive, to raise awareness about this inhumane industry.

Cover photo: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition