October 19, 2024
Bill C-355, an act to stop the export of live horses by air for slaughter, passed in the House of Commons earlier this year. Thanks to horse protection advocates like you, our Members of Parliament recognized the importance of eliminating this cruel trade and worked to ensure the Bill’s swift passage through the House.
Now this crucial bill needs final approval by the Senate before it can become law. Unfortunately, though, Bill C-355 is stalled in the Senate, largely due to delaying tactics by several Conservative Senators (led by Senate Opposition Leader, Don Plett).
Yet so many other Senators care about the plight of the horses and need to hear from concerned Canadians.
October 22, 2024 has been designated by animal protection organizations across Canada as a Day of Action against these cruel exports, and it is imperative that advocates reach out to their provincial Senators on that day. Please phone, email, or do both for the horses! Go here to find your Senators: Senators. Then choose Province (Designation) to locate your provincial Senators. Phone numbers and email addresses for each Senator are to be found by clicking on individual names.
If you prefer to use an easy email tool to contact your Senators, MP Tim Louis (the author of Bill C-355) has created one: https://www.timlouismp.
Here are some talking points you can use:
Please end the delays and pass Bill C-355 to ban the live export of horses from Canada by air for slaughter. This bill is important to me for the following reasons:
1. Animal welfare concerns: The long-distance transport of horses for slaughter causes immense suffering. Horses are sensitive animals, prone to injury and stress during extended journeys. They are shipped in crowded conditions without food, water, or rest. Reports have revealed that transportation time frequently exceeds the federally mandated 28-hour limit on the length of the trip. Additionally, damning new documents obtained from the Government of Japan show that these exports are even deadlier than what is being reported by the Canadian government. New data shows that in just one year between 2023 and 2024, 21 horses died during export.
2. Broad support for a ban: Many Canadians view horses as companion animals, not food. In an April 2024 national poll, only 22% of Canadians disagree with ending the export of live horses. Specifically, 78% of Albertans, one of the provinces that exports horses, no longer want horses from their province shipped overseas. Among Indigenous and First Nations peoples in Canada, 71% agree that this practice should be banned.
3. Low economic impact: While some may argue that banning live horse export could have negative economic consequences, the reality is that this industry affects a very small number of producers. Racetracks of Canada, Ontario Racing, and Woodbine Entertainment Group all support Bill C-355. The damage to Canada’s reputation far outweighs short-term economic benefits.
I strongly urge you to support and pass Bill C-355 to ban the export of Canadian horses for slaughter from Canada as soon as possible. Please listen to Canadians and protect the welfare of Canadian horses.
