Cover image: Calgary Stampede chuckwagon races. Jo-Anne McArthur / We Animals Media.
- Alberta is proposing its first major update to animal protection laws in more than 20 years.
- The changes signal a growing recognition that stronger protections are needed to prevent animal suffering and hold offenders accountable.
- While some proposed changes in the Animal Protection Amendment Act (Bill 22) include meaningful improvements to be celebrated, animals used in sporting events, such as rodeos, are left vulnerable.
Alberta residents: Learn more below, then email your MLA and Alberta Minister of Agriculture, Minister RJ Sigurdson (AGRIC.Minister@gov.ab.ca), to express your concern and seek stronger protections for animals used in sporting activities.
Current laws & proposed changes
Under the existing Animal Protection Act in Alberta, which has had no major updates in more than 20 years, it is illegal to cause an animal to be in distress, with exemptions for some animal use industries.
Now, Alberta is proposing a major update. This signals important progress—but one of the proposed changes would allow distress resulting from the use of animals in a sporting activity that is carried out in accordance with “reasonable and generally accepted practices”, expanding the types of industries exempted.
This concerning change could allow sporting industries that use animals to effectively make their own rules and allow harmful practices that cause significant suffering, such as in rodeo events.
This change may also make it harder to hold people accountable or enforce rules while setting a risky example that other jurisdictions might follow. Removing the proposed exemption for allowing distress in sporting activities is a critical step toward ensuring animals are protected.
If you are a resident of Alberta, or have friends and family who are residents, share this information and contact your MLA and the Minister of Agriculture, who is sponsoring the Bill, to request changes to better protect animals. The legislation is moving quickly! Don’t hesitate to speak up for animals.
A persistent loophole
Vague language, like “reasonable and generally accepted practices” often allows industries to set their own standards when no external standards exist, even when those practices may cause harm. It may also limit enforcement action when there are no clear guidelines on what a generally accepted practice is.
Animals used in sporting activities should not be subjected to distress or cruel practices for entertainment. Closing this loophole by removing the exemption for causing distress in sporting activities is a critical step toward ensuring animals are protected.
Limited public input
While the province consulted with a range of stakeholders, including industry representatives and enforcement agencies, there was no formal public comment period for the Animal Protection Amendment Act (Bill 22). This has left many concerned individuals in a rush to contact their MLAs to request amendments before the bill progresses further.
The legislation is still in early stages, and there remains an opportunity to strengthen protections for animals. However, the timeline for public input is unclear, and the process appears to be moving quickly.
Don’t hesitate! Contact your MLA and Minister Sigurdson and express your concerns before the legislation progresses and amendments can no longer be made.
