Jane Goodall Act would protect captive wildlife and public safety: Senator Klyne
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The Jane Goodall Act passed its first vote in the Senate on June 8, 2023, moving Canada one step closer to establishing the world’s strongest legal protection for captive wild animals. This progress on Bill S-241 is great news for these animals, particularly for thousands of privately held lions and tigers in Canada, with Senate committee hearings on the legislation starting in the fall.
World-renowned scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall has said the bill “is a monumental step forward for animals, people and the environment. I am honoured to lend my name to this world-leading legislation.”
Canada’s leading zoos support the bill, including the Toronto Zoo, the Calgary Zoo, and Zoo de Granby in Quebec. In calling for the vote, leaders of these organizations said their “collective expertise contributed to strengthening the bill to ban new captivity of lions, tigers, bears and hundreds more species at roadside zoos.”
I have advanced the Jane Goodall Act as an independent and non-partisan initiative. As the bill’s sponsor, I have upheld the principles and objectives of the original bill authored by the Honourable Murray Sinclair, former senator, former judge and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We have a strong scientific, legal and public safety case for the bill.
Based in science and Indigenous values of respect for nature, the bill would phase out elephant captivity in Canada, with our harsh winters, and ban elephant rides and performances for entertainment to protect elephants’ dignity.
More than 20 captive elephants live in Canada at four locations, with most located at African Lion Safari near Hamilton, Ontario. Leading elephant scientists and other experts have endorsed the bill’s elephant policies, and both Zoo de Granby and Edmonton Valley Zoo have committed to phase out elephants.
The legislation would also protect animal welfare and public safety by banning new captivity of more than 800 wild species at roadside zoos and as pets, including big cats, bears, wolves, many primates, sea lions and dangerous reptiles, such as giant pythons, crocodiles and venomous snakes.
Every passing day presents risks to animal welfare and public safety. Private owners are estimated to hold more than 7,000 lions, tigers and other big cats in Canada, with a record of attacks, escapes, abnormal behaviour and lack of space.
Bill S-241 supports the animal care, conservation, scientific and public education work of excellent zoos that meet and maintain the highest standards.
Unfortunately, prolonged Senate debate meant the vote to adopt the bill at second reading and to initiate committee study did not take place for more than a year after the bill was introduced in March 2022. This timeline — coupled with the unprecedented study of a non-government bill at three separate committees —– greatly increases the risk that the bill will not reach a final vote before the next federal election.
To pass this legislation in the 44th Parliament, the federal government may need to step in. The 2021 mandate letter of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change commits the government to legislate protection for wild animals in captivity and to curb wildlife trafficking, as proposed in Bill S-241. A government version of the Jane Goodall Act could reach a final vote more expeditiously.
On this subject, we have a responsibility not only to speak for the voiceless, but to act. The government and Parliament should stand with Dr. Goodall and Canada’s leading zoos to protect captive wild animals by passing this vital legislation.
The Honourable Marty Klyne is the sponsor of the Jane Goodall Act. He represents Saskatchewan in the Senate.
The Jane Goodall Act passed its first vote in the Senate on June 8, 2023, moving Canada one step closer to establishing the world’s strongest legal protection for captive wild animals. This progress on Bill S-241 is great news for these animals, particularly for thousands of privately held lions and tigers in Canada, with Senate committee hearings on the legislation starting in the fall.
World-renowned scientist and conservationist Jane Goodall has said the bill “is a monumental step forward for animals, people and the environment. I am honoured to lend my name to this world-leading legislation.”
Canada’s leading zoos support the bill, including the Toronto Zoo, the Calgary Zoo, and Zoo de Granby in Quebec. In calling for the vote, leaders of these organizations said their “collective expertise contributed to strengthening the bill to ban new captivity of lions, tigers, bears and hundreds more species at roadside zoos.”
I have advanced the Jane Goodall Act as an independent and non-partisan initiative. As the bill’s sponsor, I have upheld the principles and objectives of the original bill authored by the Honourable Murray Sinclair, former senator, former judge and chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We have a strong scientific, legal and public safety case for the bill.
Based in science and Indigenous values of respect for nature, the bill would phase out elephant captivity in Canada, with our harsh winters, and ban elephant rides and performances for entertainment to protect elephants’ dignity.
More than 20 captive elephants live in Canada at four locations, with most located at African Lion Safari near Hamilton, Ontario. Leading elephant scientists and other experts have endorsed the bill’s elephant policies, and both Zoo de Granby and Edmonton Valley Zoo have committed to phase out elephants.
The legislation would also protect animal welfare and public safety by banning new captivity of more than 800 wild species at roadside zoos and as pets, including big cats, bears, wolves, many primates, sea lions and dangerous reptiles, such as giant pythons, crocodiles and venomous snakes.
Every passing day presents risks to animal welfare and public safety. Private owners are estimated to hold more than 7,000 lions, tigers and other big cats in Canada, with a record of attacks, escapes, abnormal behaviour and lack of space.
Bill S-241 supports the animal care, conservation, scientific and public education work of excellent zoos that meet and maintain the highest standards.
Unfortunately, prolonged Senate debate meant the vote to adopt the bill at second reading and to initiate committee study did not take place for more than a year after the bill was introduced in March 2022. This timeline — coupled with the unprecedented study of a non-government bill at three separate committees —– greatly increases the risk that the bill will not reach a final vote before the next federal election.
To pass this legislation in the 44th Parliament, the federal government may need to step in. The 2021 mandate letter of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change commits the government to legislate protection for wild animals in captivity and to curb wildlife trafficking, as proposed in Bill S-241. A government version of the Jane Goodall Act could reach a final vote more expeditiously.
On this subject, we have a responsibility not only to speak for the voiceless, but to act. The government and Parliament should stand with Dr. Goodall and Canada’s leading zoos to protect captive wild animals by passing this vital legislation.
The Honourable Marty Klyne is the sponsor of the Jane Goodall Act. He represents Saskatchewan in the Senate.