Parliament is back. This fall could define Canada’s future for animals, nature, and food systems. Learn what’s at stake and how you can act.
This week, Parliament returns after a 12-week long summer recess. Throughout this recess, I have witnessed a growing anticipation from animal and environmental advocates across the country. Why? Because in many ways, we are still waiting to see what kind of government we’re dealing with. With only four weeks of parliamentary sessions behind us, this new Carney government has had very little time to show us what they’re made of.
This fall session will be a ‘make or break’ for this government and everyone will be watching closely to see what progress is made or not. Of course, a crucial moment will come this October when the federal budget is released. This will be the clearest signal yet of what this government stands for, and what it’s willing to invest in despite budget constraints.
My colleagues at World Animal Protection and I will be watching closely. This moment matters, not just for politics, but for the future of animals, nature and our food systems.
As Parliament returns this fall, here’s how we’re tackling key priorities to protect animals, nature, and Canada’s food systems:
What we’ve been working on: a Nature Intelligence System for Canada
Over the summer, we’ve been working hard to advance a practical and innovative program that will simultaneously work to protect animals, secure our borders, improve government efficiency and safeguard natural biodiversity.
The program is the Nature Intelligence System (NIS). You may not have heard of the NIS yet, but it is an AI tool that can assist Canada’s border agents by flagging high-risk shipments containing live animals (as well as their parts and derivatives). The outcome will mean fewer invasive species, safer communities and a reduction in the unsustainable legal and illegal wildlife trade.
The reality is that the animal trade industry is incredibly complex. In Canada, hundreds of thousands of wild animals cross the border each year – many lack species descriptions and are governed by a patchwork of regulations, making oversight challenging. Based on our examination of import records obtained through Access to Information requests, we estimated that between 2014 and 2019, more than 90% of all wild animal imports were allowed in without even requiring permits. The NIS would help obtain better data that could then be used to drive decisions to restrict the growing, underregulated and unsustainable legal trade.
At the end of the day, we must recognize the massive responsibility that rests on the shoulders of border agents. These agents are expected to become trade regulation experts in a wide range of complicated goods from animals to auto parts, to chemicals.
The NIS would:
- Use artificial intelligence to help border agents flag complex high-risk wildlife shipments.
- Increase enforcement capability at the border and potentially increase revenue from non-compliance fines.
- Reduce the impact that the wildlife trade has as one of the top two drivers of biodiversity decline.
- Reduce the risks of zoonotic disease, the spread of invasive species and organized crime.
- Prevent dangerous animals from entering communities through the exotic pet trade.
- And of course, curb animal suffering.
We believe implementing the NIS is a smart and practical investment for this government. It aligns well with several mandate commitments, follows through on several Liberal election platform promises and costs very little at a time when the government is cutting costs. Now, we’re hoping to see policy direction or funding for the program in the fall budget.
Issues we’re tracking
Beyond the NIS, we’re also pushing for and monitoring several other critical actions from the Liberal government this fall:
Funding for plant-based agriculture:
Canada has the potential to be a global leader in sustainable, plant-based food production. But right now, our agricultural subsidies are not effectively supporting growth in that part of the agriculture industry. This funding is in line with Canada’s Food Guide recommendation for Canadians to eat more plant-based foods. We’re calling for:
- Support for small and midsized family farmers in their adoption of more low-carbon and climate-resilient food systems.
- Incentives for farmers to shift from large-scale intensive livestock operations, including a reduction in the overall number of animals farmed, to sustainable and humane agriculture practices and plant-based food production.
While these initiatives could be seen as a net cost for the government, the benefits should be considered carefully. By taking steps to invest further in plant-based farming, we could increase farm productivity, lower operating costs, enhance climate resilience, improve health and environmental outcomes for Canadians, expand into new markets and develop rural economies.
Leadership at COP30:
With COP30 fast approaching in November, Canada has a chance to lead on the global stage. We want to see the government demonstrate their commitment to sustainable food systems, a just transition, and an adaptation strategy on the world stage by leading in formal negotiations and committing to global agreements and initiatives.
Movement to end captive wildlife entertainment and support for animal rehoming:
In recent years, there has been a lot of positive movement on ending captive wildlife entertainment. Bill S-15 was a government bill introduced and passed in the Senate during the last parliamentary session that replaced Bill S-241- The Jane Goodall Act. It would ensure that the captivity and breeding of elephants and great apes is no longer permitted in Canada. Unfortunately, progress on the bill halted with the dissolution of the previous parliament and has yet to be re-introduced.
Similarly, Senate bill S-203 (the Free Willy Bill) was given royal assent to end the captivity and breeding of cetaceans and ensure that the current generation of whales, dolphins and porpoises in Canada would be the last. With the recent closure of Marineland (the last venue housing cetaceans in Canada), this government will be put to the test. They must uphold their promise to ensure that these cetaceans are the last generation in their line and are moved to proper, humane homes and not given permits to move to facilities for entertainment or breeding.
Action on pandemic prevention:
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization (WHO) Assembly adopted the Pandemic Agreement to help prevent future pandemics. As part of this agreement, there was recognition that countries around the world must do more to prevent pandemics by adopting a One Health approach which recognizes the interconnections between animal, environmental and human health. Canada has an opportunity to lead on this topic by becoming one of the first countries to ratify the agreement in legislative assembly.
The government could demonstrate further leadership by creating a pandemic prevention and preparedness plan that addresses the top drivers of pandemic risk including the wildlife trade and intensive farming. They could do so by reintroducing bill C-293, the Pandemic Prevention and Preparedness Act, which would have required the Minister of Health to work with other ministries to create this plan but, once again, the bill died when the last parliament dissolved.
Your voice can help fund the NIS
This fall, decisions in Parliament will directly affect animals, biodiversity and Canada’s food systems. The NIS is a critical tool that can stop illegal and harmful wildlife trade, but it needs funding in the upcoming federal budget. Your voice can make a real difference.
We’ll continue monitoring government decisions and engaging with decision-makers. Sign up for email updates to stay informed about new campaigns and actions.
Together, we can keep pressure on and work toward a safer, more sustainable future for animals, people and nature.