For the second time ever, an all-party animal protection debate shed light on the positions of Canada’s federal parties leading up to the election. The debate was once again hosted by the VHS and other animal organizations across Canada: Animal Justice, SPCA Montreal, BC SPCA, and World Animal Protection.
As parties battled it out on the campaign trail, this debate was crucial in ensuring that animal protection remained on candidates’ radar. It also encouraged stronger commitments from parties on topics such as national animal protection legislation, wildlife, animals used in research, and animals kept in captivity.
The debate was especially key in drawing attention toward farmed animals, a group who suffer greatly on a massive scale. Candidates discussed concerns related to horse exports for slaughter overseas, fur farming, intensive animal agriculture, plant-based policies, international agricultural trade, and antibiotic use on farms.
To see a replay of the debate and understand each party’s position on animal topics leading into the new parliamentary cycle, visit www.animalelectiondebate.ca.