On April 23, a virtual debate focused on animal protection policies will bring together federal candidates from four major Canadian political parties. The event, held via Zoom, will be conducted in both English and French with simultaneous translation, and is open for media observation and public registration.
The debate is organized by Animal Justice, the Montreal SPCA, the Vancouver Humane Society, the BC SPCA, and World Animal Protection. It marks only the second time a national debate dedicated to animal welfare has been held during a Canadian federal election campaign.
Cross-party voices join the conversation
Confirmed participants include Nathaniel Erskine-Smith (Liberal, Beaches—East York), Alistair MacGregor (NDP, Cowichan—Malahat—Langford), Elizabeth May (Green Party, Saanich—Gulf Islands), and Yves Perron (Bloc Québécois, Berthier-Maskinongé). All federal parties with representation in Parliament were invited to join.
Karman Wong, a former journalist and communications consultant, will moderate the discussion, which will address topics such as animal protection legislation, animal agriculture, the wildlife trade, antimicrobial resistance, and animal testing.
A recent Nanos poll from 2024 found that 43% of Canadians would be more inclined to vote for a political party that supports stronger animal protection laws. Advocates argue that animal welfare is increasingly intersecting with broader policy areas such as climate change, public health, and international trade.
Recent legislative efforts and challenges
The last session of Parliament saw several animal-related bills introduced, including Bill S-15 (banning elephant and great ape captivity), Bill C-355 (prohibiting the export of live horses for slaughter), and Bill C-293 (addressing animal-related pandemic risks). None of these bills passed before Parliament was dissolved for the election.
Canada’s legal protections for animals have faced international criticism, with advocates pointing to a lack of enforceable standards. Over 14.5 million farmed birds in Canada have been culled in response to avian flu outbreaks, underscoring concerns related to animal agriculture and disease transmission.
The debate is scheduled during Earth Week and comes at a time when animal protection issues are becoming more prominent in Canadian political discourse. Interested members of the public can register to view the debate at www.animalelectiondebate.ca.
