Ontario Considering Ag-Gag Law

​www.animaljustice.ca/media-releases/ontario-ag-gag-bill-is-unconstitutional-say-leading-legal-experts

Ontario introduced Bill 156 in December of 2019 which is a direct attack on animal activists and a big support to the animal agriculture industry. The bill would limit access to slaughterhouses, transport trucks, and farms, and make it illegal to go undercover to expose animal abuse. This bill is designed to prevent exposure of cruelty and allow the animal agriculture industry to operate without fear of being exposed for poor animal welfare standards.

Similar bills have been introduced across the United States only to be struck down by the Supreme Court for being unconstitutional. Ag-gag laws are designed to protect the animal agriculture industry and prevent negative exposure which would ultimately have to be addressed. The animal agriculture industry is so heavily protected because it generates millions of dollars and negative exposure is the last thing the government wants. Frankly, ag-gag laws are nothing more to me than an admittance of guilt and a way to prevent being exposed for it. 

Look, if you're operating a slaughterhouse and you're operating it to the welfare standards set out, then you wouldn't have any issue with allowing activists to tour the facility. One would only seek to prevent them from filming or getting inside because there are likely several instances of lackluster welfare standards. Animal abuse is rampant in this industry as animals are viewed as nothing more than products. Videos have shown instances of animals being kicked, choked, punched, thrown, and trampled on. Videos have shown animals that were in dire need of veterinary care, left to struggle and die as their peers watch in horror. Animals crawling over one another, covered in maggots and feces. These things are happening and without whistle blowers, it will continue to occur.

Why does the government think it is wiser to prevent exposure as opposed to monitoring these facilities properly and ensuring welfare standards are met? Why is it always the animal agriculture industry that is pandered to when animals are being mistreated and abused? It's disgusting and as I said, an admittance of guilt in the situation. We need to be holding these facilities accountable and forcing them to comply with welfare standards, not allow it to continue and penalize those who try to expose wrongdoings.

Enough is enough. There is still time to send a very clear message to Doug Ford that ag-gag laws are immoral and should not pass to law. Follow the link below to a petition from LAST CHANCE FOR ANIMALS demanding that Doug Ford cease Bill 156. Take a minute to sign it, animals depend on us in Ontario!

stopontarioaggagbill.com/

HAPPY VEG