During the 2021 federal election, the Liberal Party campaigned on a promise to ban the export of horses for slaughter overseas. Compassionate Canadians celebrated when the Prime Minister followed through and mandated then-Agriculture Minister Marie-Claude Bibeau to make good on the promise in December 2021.
But more than three years have passed and the cruel flights continue. As the next federal election draws near, the newly-elected leader of the Liberal Party, Mark Carney, has an exciting opportunity to begin his tenure by showing Canadians that his Party can be trusted to make good on its promises. There is not a moment to lose in finally ending the export of live horses for slaughter overseas before the next election is called.
What Happens To Bill C-355 Now?
With Parliament prorogued until the end of March, most federal law-making activities have ground to a halt. This puts the future of all current bills, including Bill C-355 which aims to ban the export of live horses for slaughter overseas, in serious jeopardy.
Because Bill C-355 is a private member’s bill, introduced not by the government but by MP Tim Louis, it will automatically be reinstated if Parliament reconvenes on March 24th. To have a chance at passing, the Bill would need to pass swiftly through the remaining steps in the legislative process before the next election is called.
If an election is called before March 24th, Bill C-355 dies on the order paper.
Prime Minister-designate Carney Can Be a #HeroForHorses
In the new reality of political and economic chaos, it is impossible to predict how the coming weeks will play out in federal politics and precisely when the next election will be called. All indications are that it will likely be called soon.
Until that election is called, we will work relentlessly to urge the government to pass the promised ban on live horse exports for slaughter into law. But even if Parliament does not reconvene to pass new laws before the next election, there is still an opportunity for Mark Carney and the Liberals to follow through on this life saving promise. The ban can be implemented by amending the Health of Animals Regulations—a process that does not require passing a bill and that can happen even when Parliament is paused.
The Tragic Reality of Canada’s Live Horse Export Industry
The suffering these gentle animals endure on their grueling journey to Japan is almost unimaginable. More than 2,000 Canadian horses are shipped to Japan each year, where they are slaughtered and eaten as sashimi—a delicacy for the rich. This cruel practice has been widely condemned by Canadians, and should have been outlawed long ago.
Packed together into wooden crates and denied food, water, and rest for more than 24 hours, two recent investigations show that these horses are becoming injured, suffering illnesses, and even dying during transport and in the hours and days following.
Working with Japan-based Life Investigation Agency, Animal Justice showed that despite what the industry claims, most shipments appear to go over the legal limit of 28 hours without food, water, and rest. Using Government of Japan records, the groups also showed between June 2023 and June 2024 alone, at least 22 horses exported for slaughter died during transport or in the hours and days shortly thereafter. They died from dehydration, stress caused by transport, agonizing miscarriages, “shipping fever”, and injuries sustained during transport.
More than 60 others were injured or became seriously ill during this time. None of these injuries, illnesses, or deaths were reported to Canadian officials.
Tell Canada’s Prime Minister-designate To Pass a Ban Before the Next Election
As long as horses are suffering, we will not give up—and neither should you.
Take action now to protect horses and ensure the law is changed quickly before more horses suffer and die! Even if a bill cannot be passed before the next election, please urge Prime Minister-designate Mark Carney to introduce regulations now to formally begin the process of making good on the government’s promise to Canadians before it’s too late.
Banner: Canadian Horse Defence Coalition
