The federal government’s contentious cruelty-to-animals legislation
cleared the House of Commons this week after the federal Liberal
government cut off debate June 3.
It now goes to the Senate, where farm groups will renew their demands
that the bill be amended to make it clear that farmers and ranchers
engaged in normal animal husbandry practices will not be subject to
prosecution.
The Liberals have insisted that the legislation is aimed at real
abusers and not farmers. And some have promised that an amendment will
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federal government proposed several months ago to increase the compensation rate from 80 to 90 per cent and double the maximum payment from $3 million to $6 million
be introduced by the government during Senate hearings to make the
point clear.
Liberal rural caucus chair Murray Calder voted for the legislation June
3 after threatening to vote against it and he said a promise of an
amendment was the reason.
He said he was convinced that justice minister Martin Cauchon will
amend the bill in the Senate. Calder urged other rural Liberals to vote
for the bill.
“The amendment does not give farmers and other animal users the right
to abuse animals,” Calder said June 3.
“We never asked for that. But it does recognize the principle that
farmers and others can use animals for lawful purposes.”
Calder said it was enough of a promise to convince him the legislation
could be supported because farmers are protected from vexatious law
suits by animal rights activists.
Opposition MPs and some rural Liberals have been wary of that claim and
the bill has languished in the House of Commons for months as Canadian
Alliance and Progressive Conservatives demanded an amendment while
supporting the principle of more animal protection.
On Monday, the government forced a vote on ending the debate and won
120 to 71.
Calder’s conversion did not sway all his Liberal rural caucus
compatriots.
MPs Paul Steckle and Rose-Marie Ur did not show up for the vote.
Agriculture committee chair Charles Hubbard, Prince Edward Island MP
Wayne Easter and Ontario MP Bob Speller all supported the legislation.
However, despite the government decision to force a vote and to end the
Canadian Alliance filibuster, it is far from certain that the Senate
will be able to get the bill through the system and into law before the
parliamentary summer recess begins June 21.
If it still is in the system when Parliament adjourns the bill would be
killed.
