Bill C-296

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have two petitions to present today.

The first petition is from people who are very concerned that every year hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur in a number of Asian regions. The petitioners call on Canada to join the U.S., Australia and the European Union in banning the import and sale of dog and cat fur. The petitioners call on all of us to support Bill C-296 from the 41st Parliament.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have risen on numerous occasions to present petitions from people in Manitoba, Ontario and B.C. who are concerned that every year thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur. The petitioners point out that Canada should join the U.S.A., Australia and European countries in banning the import and sale of cat and dog fur and that it should support Bill C-296.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have yet again more petitions to add to the many petitions I have presented in the House on this issue from people who are very concerned about the fact that every year hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur in a number of Asian regions and that these animals live in deplorable conditions. The petitioners say that we should join the U.S.A., Australia and the EU in banning the import of cat and dog fur. They call on the Government of Canada to support Bill C-296.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, I have hundreds of petitions here. I would like to thank the dedicated volunteers who have shown so much commitment in collecting petitions over the last year.

The petitioners point out that every year, in a number of Asian regions, hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur. Canada should join the U.S., Australia and the EU in banning the import of cat and dog fur. They call on Parliament to support legislation such as Bill C-296, which would amend the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Textile Labelling Act.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

Mr. Speaker, the second petition has many pages and is signed by people who are very concerned right across the country. I want to congratulate people for the work they have done in going out and collecting signatures and signing this petition.

The petitioners point out that every year hundreds of thousands of dogs and cats are brutally slaughtered for their fur in a number of Asian regions.

The petitioners call on Canada to join the U.S., Australia and the European Union in banning the import and sale of dog and cat fur. They point out that Canada is the only developed country without such a ban. They further call on us to introduce and support legislation to amend the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Textile Labelling Act based on Bill C-296 from the 41st Parliament, a bill that we currently have in this Parliament.

Libby Davies Vancouver East, BC

moved for leave to introduce Bill C-296, An Act to amend the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Textile Labelling Act (animal fur or skin).

Mr. Speaker, I am very pleased to introduce this bill. This bill would amend the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act and the Textile Labelling Act (animal fur or skin). I would like to thank the member for Parkdale—High Park for seconding the bill.

This bill was originally introduced by my colleague, Bill Siksay, the former member for Burnaby—Douglas. He did much work on this issue. I am delighted to introduce the bill and follow up on the work that he has been doing.

The bill would prohibit the import and sale of products made in whole or in part of dog or cat fur. It would also require all animal skins to be labelled with full disclosure of fur fibres on labels. Many Canadians are very concerned about the use of cat and dog fur and strongly support a ban on its use in imports.

If we pass this bill, we would be joining Australia, Switzerland, the United States and the European Union in banning products that contain dog and cat skins and furs. As well, the labelling requirements would change. Under the current act, products can simply be labelled fur “fibre” no matter what quantity is involved. This bill would amend that to make sure there is explicit and clear labelling.

In presenting this bill, I want to note the incredible work of the Association for the Protection of Fur-Bearing Animals. I know there are many Canadians who support this legislation.

(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)