SoVote

Bill S-241

44th Parl. 1st Sess.

March 19, 2024

This bill is about creating laws to protect certain animals, including great apes, elephants, and others. It changes the Criminal Code to make it illegal to own or breed these animals in captivity without proper permits. It also amends the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to require permits for import, export, and transport of these animals. The bill aims to protect animal welfare and promote conservation while addressing issues like the global wildlife trade and animal captivity for entertainment purposes.

ho advocate for the welfare of non-domesticated animals in captivity, must consider the biological and ecological characteristics and needs of the species, as well as the potential benefits and harms of captivity. This includes considerations of individual welfare, conservation, and non-harmful scientific research. By prohibiting the ownership, breeding, and possession of reproductive materials of certain animals in captivity, and requiring permits for import, export, transportation, and captive breeding, this Act seeks to protect the welfare and conservation of species such as great apes, elephants, and non-domesticated subspecies. It also prohibits the use of these animals for entertainment purposes without proper authorization. Furthermore, this Act recognizes the Indigenous understanding of interconnection and interdependency between all life forms and acknowledges the shared jurisdiction between federal and provincial government

A steelman argument against this bill could be that the proposed amendments to the Criminal Code and Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act may go too far in restricting the ownership and breeding of certain non-domesticated animals in captivity. Critics may argue that responsible animal care organizations may not necessarily agree with the restrictions, and that the ban on trade in elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn, while certainly important, may not necessarily be effective in conserving populations or addressing the issue of wildlife trafficking. Additionally, some may argue that the designation of non-domesticated animals for protection may create confusion and lead to unintended consequences for individuals and organizations that are already properly caring for such animals.