RJ Sigurdson, Minister of Agriculture and Irrigation, is flanked by Leanne Niblock, executive director, Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and Megan Bergman, registrar, Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.--PHOTO COURTESY ALBERTA GOVERNMENT
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Alberta is updating the legislation that outlines protections for animals.
If passed, Bill 22 will update the Animal Protection Act for the first time in 20 years.
“Whether it’s livestock on a farm or pets, animals deserve appropriate care and to be protected from distress. It’s an important topic,” said Minister of Agriculture and Immigration R.J. Sigurdson.
The proposed amendments would update and strengthen key definitions related to what constitutes distress for animals and allow the province to enforce orders issued in other provinces that restrict an individual from owning or living with animals.
Under the current legislation, an animal is considered to be in distress if it is denied food, water, shelter or veterinary care. Updates to the act expand that definition to include other kinds of distress that take a more holistic view of animal wellbeing.
For example, a horse that receives food and medical treatment but is confined to a box stall alone would be considered in distress under the new law.
“So, the ability for animals to behave normally and to live in an environment that is safe – not just protected from heat, wind and cold, but safe – that is something we are very excited about,” said executive director of the Alberta Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Leanne Niblock.
If passed, Bill 22 will also make Alberta the first province in Canada that can uphold orders that restrict animal ownership across provincial borders.
“We’re taking this as an opportunity to lead the country in this area, to be able to make sure that repeat offenders can’t just move province to province and continue to offend,” said Sigurdson.
The SPCA called the legislation an encouraging demonstration of the Government of Alberta’s commitment to animal welfare.
“The proposed updates will strengthen tools for our peace officers, better protect animals and reinforce Alberta’s leadership in animal,” said Niblock.
Niblock says she expects the SPCA will receive more calls as a result of the legislative updates.
Veterinarians also expressed support for the bill, calling the changes an important step toward ensuring vets have the tools they need to support appropriate care for animals across the province.
“Alberta veterinarians and technologists have a shared mission to uphold a competent and ethical profession while advancing veterinary care in the province,” said Megan Bergman, registrar of the Alberta Veterinary Medical Association.
“Providing leadership in animal health and welfare is a core objective of the ABVMA, and the proposed changes to the Animal Protection Act support that objective.”
The proposed changes were informed by an engagement with targeted organizations in May and June last year. Participants included peace officers, municipalities, livestock industry representative, veterinary professionals and First Nations.
