Bill C-205 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

John Barlow Conservative

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Report stage (House), as of June 21, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment amends the Health of Animals Act to make it an offence to enter a place in which animals are kept, or take in any animal or thing, if doing so could reasonably result in the exposure of the animals to a disease or toxic substance that is capable of affecting or contaminating them.

Similar bills

C-275 (44th Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)

C-205 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-205s:

C-205 (2021) An Act to amend the Impact Assessment Act

C-205 (2015) ALS Month Act

C-205 (2013) An Act to amend the Canada Labour Code (replacement workers)

Votes

March 10, 2021 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-205, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-205 amends the Health of Animals Act to prohibit unauthorized entry into animal-housing facilities if it could expose animals to disease or toxins.

Conservative

Protects farms and animals: The bill amends the Health of Animals Act to protect farmers' mental health, their families, workers, and animals, while also addressing critical biosecurity on farms.
Addresses biosecurity risks: Trespassers pose a significant risk of introducing devastating animal-borne diseases, such as African swine fever or BSE, which can decimate herds and cause immense economic damage to the industry.
Clarifies protest rights: The bill does not prohibit peaceful protest on public property but establishes clear consequences for individuals who trespass on private farm land, risking animal and family health.
Industry support: The bill is widely supported by farmers, ranchers, food processors, farm groups, and commodity organizations as essential for protecting Canada's food supply and deterring harmful trespassing.

NDP

Supports the bill's principle: The NDP supports the principle of Bill C-205, which aims to protect farm animals from disease or toxic substances introduced by unauthorized persons.
Balance protection with transparency: While supporting farm biosecurity, the NDP emphasizes the need to balance animal protection with the public's right to know and the ability to expose animal abuse.
Bill needs committee study: The NDP believes the bill requires further study at committee to potentially amend it and ensure it does not prevent whistleblowers or others from lawfully exposing animal welfare issues.

Bloc

Supports bill C-205: The Bloc Québécois supports Bill C-205, recognizing its importance for the safety and biosecurity of farms and animals.
Risks of illegal intrusions: Illegal entry into farms risks exposing animals to disease and toxic substances, threatening animal health, biosecurity, and food security.
Protects farmers and animals: The bill aims to stop illegal actions that harm farmers and animals, while respecting the right to protest and freedom of expression.
Addresses jurisdictional issues: While agriculture and animal welfare are shared jurisdictions, the Bloc supports this federal measure and seeks clarity on its application in committee.

Liberal

Supports bill's intent: The party understands the bill's intent to support biosecurity and address concerns about intrusions on farms, acknowledging farmer distress.
Existing laws address trespassing: Trespassing and unlawful entry on farms are already dealt with by existing legislation, including the Criminal Code and specific provincial laws.
Questions bill's approach: The party questions if the Health of Animals Act is the appropriate mechanism to address trespassers and raises concerns about the enforceability of the proposed language.
Open to committee study: While acknowledging the need to improve biosecurity, the party cannot support the bill's text as written but is open to finding balance at committee.

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The House resumed from February 26 consideration of the motion that Bill C-205, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act, be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

March 10th, 2021 / 3:30 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

Pursuant to order made on Monday, January 25, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-205, under Private Members' Business.

(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #65

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

March 10th, 2021 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)