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e-6857 (Animals)

E-petition
Initiated by Connie Shields from FORT MCMURRAY, Alberta

Original language of petition: English

Petition to the House of Commons in Parliament assembled

Whereas:
  • The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) ordered the destruction of Universal Ostrich Farm's healthy research flock without independent confirmatory testing, despite no clinical signs of disease for months;
  • CFIA's custody of these birds has raised serious animal welfare concerns, with witnesses reporting dehydration, injuries, and inadequate care for these large ratites;
  • Section 48(2) of the Health of Animals Act requires meaningful consideration of treatment and alternatives before destruction, a requirement that appears unmet in this case;
  • This operation appears to consume significant public resources daily for security and logistics, without transparent oversight or justification; and
  • The Supreme Court of Canada has issued an interim stay, recognizing the merit of concerns raised.
We, the undersigned, Citizens or Residents of Canada, call upon the House of Commons in Parliament assembled to
1. Direct the Ministers of Agriculture and Health to immediately pause any cull pending independent veterinary assessment of evidence-based alternatives, including vaccination, treatment, or surveillance protocols;
2. Require the Standing Committees on Agriculture and Health to urgently examine this matter, receive testimony from CFIA and affected parties, and report recommendations for modernizing Canada's disease response to balance public health, animal welfare, and fiscal responsibility; and
3. Mandate full transparency from CFIA through immediate public release of all non-sensitive records regarding decision-making, animal welfare protocols, and operational costs.
Open for signature
October 3, 2025, at 10:02 a.m. (EDT)
Closed for signature
November 2, 2025, at 10:02 a.m. (EDT)
Presented to the House of Commons
Scott Anderson (Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee)
November 5, 2025 (Petition No. 451-00244)
Photo - Scott Anderson
Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee
Conservative Caucus
British Columbia