Thanks to the colleague for the question and that’s good to know about Huron University, as well. This bill will be going to committee, so we would love to have them come to committee and testify that as well.

What this act is here to do is to codify and clarify what a puppy mill is and minimum fines to hold those bad actors to account. We’ve heard, from animal welfare inspectors, concerns about lack of record-keeping. We’ve heard about lack of definition when they’re doing their jobs and laying these charges.

We are clearly laying out: If you are breeding a female dog before a year old, you will face a $10,000 fine. If you’re caught having an animal in bad conditions, where they don’t have proper sanitary, they don’t have the proper diet, you will face a fine—$10,000. If your neglect of an animal causes the death of an animal, you will face a fine of $25,000.

I’m sure the folks from my colleague’s riding would agree that this is a very good thing, and we’re pleased to have the support of the OSPCA and Canadian Kennel Club as well.