The Honourable Robert Douglas Nicholson
Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada
284 Wellington Street
Ottawa, Ontario
Canada K1A 0H8
To the Honourable Robert Nicholson and all Members of Parliament
I am writing to express support for Bill C-373, and to oppose Bill S-203 (formerly S-213).
For the last seven years efforts have been underway to change archaic legislation that deals with animal cruelty
(Criminal Code, 1892). Countless hours of hearings, information gathering, and negotiations resulted in a proposed Bill
that had the support of virtually all of the interest groups involved with animals. Seven times this bill has fallen victim to
election calls or other Parliamentary adjournments. The latest version of the bill, Bill C-373 addresses the flaws in
current legislation by recognizing that animals are worthy of protection for their own sake as sentient and feeling
creatures; by replacing the term 'willful neglect' with the term 'negligent'; by defining what an 'animal' is; and by
increasing the potential penalties for convicted offenders.
In contrast, Bill S-203 was introduced less than a year ago, and does not change any of the current legislation, except to
allow for greater penalties. This Bill still only provides regulations for owned animals, leaving wild and stray animals
vulnerable and unprotected. Even owned animals would not be adequately protected, as it is extremely difficult to prove
'willful neglect'. Obviously Bill S-203 is inadequate, and is opposed by many interest groups.
I would strongly urge you to oppose Bill S-203, and instead to support Bill C-373, so a new and modern law will enable
us protect both owned and un-owned animals, and effectively prosecute those that negligently cause unnecessary pain
and suffering to those animals.
Sincerely,