Crimes BILL C-10(B)

Strengthening the Cruelty to Animals sections of Canada's Criminal Code

Most people are appalled by cases of cruelty to animals. They expect that charges will be laid and appropriate penalties handed down if a person is found guilty. Unfortunately, both are often difficult to secure under the existing criminal code, largely because our current laws date from the 19th century, and have changed very little since that time.

Currently, less than 1/3 of 1% of all animal abuse complaints lead to criminal charges. Of those charges laid, only about 45% result in successful convictions. Frequently a successful conviction means a fine of $200 or simply being placed on probation.

A modernized anti-cruelty law will make it easier to prosecute animal abuse, as well as send a message to those involved in the criminal justice system that crimes against animals should be treated more seriously.

Bill C-17
It was with this in mind that the Liberal Justice Minister introduced Omnibus Bill C-17(presently named Bill C-10(B)), which included provisions to amend the animal cruelty section of the Criminal Code, to Parliament in 1999. An electronic copy of Bill C-10(B) is available on-line at the House of Commons website.

The intent of the Bill was to provide tougher penalties for those convicted of willful and unnecessary animal cruelty or neglect, including the ability to ban offenders from ever owning animals in the future. This change, along with moving animal cruelty offences out of the property crimes section of the Criminal Code and into a new section, was intended to signal a new level of importance for these crimes. The amendments were to be a critical signal to police, prosecutors and judges to treat such crimes seriously, particularly for repeat offences and for heinous animal cruelty.

Senate Stalls
Unfortunately, after 4 years of debate, and despite the support of animal groups and even animal use industries, most Canadians, and every political party, the Canadian Senate has delayed the passing of BillC-10(B) by demanding fundamental changes that would weaken the proposed legislation.

What you can do

Call your MP
Hundreds of thousands of Canadians are still fighting to pass Bill C-10B. Please call your Member of Parliament (MP) today and indicate that Bill C-10B is important to the Canadian public, and S/he should push Senators to pass the Bill as it stood when it left the House of Commons on June 6, 2003.

To find out who your MP is, call 1-800-667-3355.

Send a letter to Prime Minister Chretien, asking him to intervene on behalf of animals. Click here for a sample letter.

Lobby the Senators who are holding up Bill C10(B)
Please write, email or phone the following key members of the Senate, and demand that they pass the Bill as it currently reads. Click here for a sample letter.

Honourable Senator George Furey
Chair, Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs
216 East Block
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Phone: (613) 943-7805
Fax: (613) 943-7807
fureyge@sen.parl.gc.ca

Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer
(Sponsor of Bill C-10(B) in the Senate)
900 Victoria Building
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Phone: (613) 992-0189
Fax: (613) 992-0673
jaffem@sen.parl.gc.ca

Honourable Senator Sharon Carstairs
Leader of the Government in the Senate
271-S Centre Block
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Phone: (613) 947-7123
Fax: (613) 947-7125
carsts@sen.parl.gc.ca

Honourable Senator John Lynch-Staunton
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate
375-S Centre Block
The Senate of Canada
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0A4
Phone: (613) 943-1481
Fax: (613) 943-8641
lynchj@sen.parl.gc.ca

Sample Letter

(Today's Date)

(Name, title and address of recipient)

Dear Honourable Senator (Last Name),

I am writing today to urge you to fully support Bill C-10(B) as it currently reads.
I know that you are aware of the cases of horrendous animal abuse where the perpetrators receive nothing more than a token fine - and that many of these abusers move on to commit violent crimes against humans.

Like the overwhelming majority of the Canadian public, I am sure you will agree that animals should be protected from abuse, and that penalties for abusers should be increased. You must also be aware that the Canadian public is absolutely opposed to blanket exemptions for farming, trapping, animal research or any other industry that uses animals. As in all other areas of criminal law, every Canadian must all be held accountable for their actions - without exception.

I do not believe that it is the role of Senate to recreate debates that have already occurred in the House of Commons. Therefore, I sincerely hope you will lend your support to see these important amendments through as quickly as possible.

Sincerely,
(Your name, address and phone #)