Animal Justice (organization)

Animal Justice is a Canadian nonprofit organization with three main areas of focus: lobbying for stronger animal protection laws, improved enforcement of those laws, and fighting for animals in court.[1]

Animal Justice
Founded2008 (2008)
TypeNon-profit
FocusAnimal law
Location
  • Toronto, Ontario
Area served
 Canada
Key people
Camille Labchuk
(Executive Director)
Websitewww.animaljustice.ca

It is Canada’s only national organization dedicated to advancing the interests of animals in the law. The organization makes submissions in court to obtain intervenor status and provide the perspective of animals.[2] The organization was founded in 2008 and is led by animal rights lawyer Camille Labchuk.[3]

Cases and campaigns

Papanack Park Zoo investigation

In 2017, Animal Justice released undercover footage taken by a whistleblower who worked on the grounds of Papanack Park Zoo near Ottawa, Ontario.[4] The zoo was investigated but no charges were laid.[5]

Ban on bestiality

In 2016, Animal Justice was the first animal advocacy group to make oral arguments as an intervener in a Supreme Court of Canada case in order to provide context to the Court's assessment.[6] The case identified a loophole that most sexual abuse of animals in Canada was not illegal.[7] Following the case, Animal Justice campaigned for Bill C-84, which closed the loophole and banned all forms on bestiality in Canada.[8]

Ban on whale and dolphin captivity

Animal Justice supported the passage of Bill S-203 that phases out the practice of keeping cetaceans in captivity in Canada and prohibits breeding of cetaceans and collecting reproductive materials from them.[9]

Ban on shark fin imports

Animal Justice supported the passage of Bill C-68, banning shark finning in Canadian waters and the import and export of shark fins.[10]

Paragon pig farm investigation

In 2020, W5 (TV program) aired Animal Justice’s undercover investigation showing alleged abuse at a pig farm in Puntam, Ontario.[11]

Cedar Valley organic dairy farm investigation

In 2021, Animal Justice released an undercover video showing allegations of animal abuse at an organic dairy farm in Abbotsford, BC.[12] The footage prompted an investigation from British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the farm had its licence suspended.[13]

Ag gag lawsuit

In 2021, Animal Justice filed a constitutional challenge to anti-whistleblower laws in Ontario that would make it illegal for journalists and animal advocates to go undercover on farms to expose animal cruelty, known as “ag gag” laws.[14] The organization is arguing that the Ontario law violates Canadians’ right to freedom of expression. [15]

Canadian Animal Law Conference

The organization has held an annual national animal law conference since 2019.[16] Philosopher Peter Singer was the keynote speaker at the first conference in 2019.[17] The 2022 Canadian Animal Law Conference had 200 attendees and discussed legal developments furthering animal rights in Canada.[18]

See also

References
  1. "Animal Justice celebrates 10 years of fighting for legal protection for animals in Canada". apt613.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  2. "Live from the SCC: The Significance of Animal Advocates in the Court in R v DLW". thecourt.ca. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  3. "WARRIOR LAWYER PROFILE: CAMILLE LABCHUK". allard.ubc.ca. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  4. McSheffrey, Elizabeth (11 August 2017). "Secret footage shows shocking animal abuse at Ottawa-area zoo". National Observer. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  5. Gillis, Megan (11 April 2018). "'Not sufficient evidence' for charges in Papanack Zoo probe, says OSPCA". Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  6. Gacek, James; Jochelson, Richard (2017). "'Animal Justice' and Sexual (Ab)use: Consideration of Legal Recognition of Sentience for Animals in Canada". Manitoba Law Journal. 40 (3): 340. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  7. "Legislative Summary of Bill C-84: An Act to amend the Criminal Code (bestiality and animal fighting)". lop.parl.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  8. Aiello, Rachel (18 October 2018). "Feds to ban all forms of bestiality, crack down on animal fighting". CTV News. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  9. "Canada passes 'Free Willy' bill to ban captivity of all whales, dolphins". mongabay.com. 11 June 2019. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  10. Braun, Liz (19 June 2019). "Canada leads with groundbreaking shark protections". Toronto Sun. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  11. Derrick, Chad (28 November 2020). "Undercover footage from Ontario pig farm shows alleged abuse but new laws may ban future probes". CTV News. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  12. Hopes, Vikki (8 November 2021). "PETA calls for closure of Abbotsford dairy farm accused of animal abuse". The Abbotsford News. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  13. Grochowski, Sarah (5 November 2021). "'Troubling' footage prompts B.C. SPCA investigation into Abbotsford dairy farm". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  14. Freeze, Colin (9 March 2021). "'Ontario hit with lawsuit challenging 'Ag-Gag' legislation". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 23 October 2022.
  15. Kopecky, Arno (13 October 2022). "Exposing Animal Abuse May Land Canadian Farm Activists in Jail". Mother Jones. Retrieved 4 January 2023.
  16. "The Canadian Animal Law conference returns to U of T". law.utoronto.ca. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  17. Beswick, Aaron (18 March 2019). "Controversial philosopher's Halifax appearance raises ire". SaltWire. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
  18. Birnbaum, Elisa (24 September 2022). "Canada's animal-welfare push is gathering steam. Here's what's on the agenda". Toronto Star. Retrieved 22 October 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.