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Bill C-275 (Historical)

An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)

This bill is from the 44th Parliament, 1st session, which ended in January 2025.

Sponsor

John Barlow  Conservative

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

Status

Third reading (Senate), as of Dec. 3, 2024
(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, without lawful authority or excuse, a place in which animals are kept if doing so could reasonably be expected to result in the exposure of the animals to a disease or toxic substance that is capable of affecting or contaminating them.

Similar bills

C-205 (43rd Parliament, 2nd session) An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act
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-275s:

C-275 (2021) An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (travel expenses deduction for tradespersons)
C-275 (2016) An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (business transfer)
C-275 (2013) An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (recreational snow sport helmets)
C-275 (2011) An Act to amend the Hazardous Products Act (recreational snow sport helmets)

Votes

Nov. 29, 2023 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
June 21, 2023 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)

Debate Summary

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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-275 aims to amend the Health of Animals Act to protect biosecurity on farms by making it an offense to enter a place where animals are kept without lawful authority, if doing so could expose the animals to disease or toxic substances. The bill seeks to address concerns about the impact of trespassing incidents on animal health, food security, and the mental health of farm families, while clarifying that it does not restrict peaceful protests on public property or prevent whistleblowing. The proposed changes would also add a significant fine for organizations that encourage such behavior.

Conservative

  • Supporting biosecurity on farms: The Conservatives support amending the Health of Animals Act to make it an offence to enter a place where animals are kept without lawful authority if doing so could expose them to disease or toxic substances. This aims to apply existing penalties to those who trespass on farms, and to hold accountable organizations that encourage this behavior.
  • Protecting farmers' mental health: The Conservatives emphasize the mental health impact on farm families when protesters trespass, causing stress and sleepless nights. The bill aims to help the mental health of Canadian farm families.
  • Not limiting legal protest: The Conservatives clarify that the bill would not prevent peaceful protests on public property or restrict whistle-blowers from reporting issues on farms. The bill is intended to draw a line at trespassing on private property and endangering animal health.
  • Preventing economic devastation: The Conservatives highlight the potential for animal-borne pandemics, such as African swine fever, to devastate Canada's agriculture industry and economy. They stress the need for proactive measures to protect producers and the food supply.

NDP

  • Support for biosecurity: The NDP supports the goal of enhancing biosecurity on farms to prevent the spread of diseases among livestock, recognizing the devastating financial and other impacts that outbreaks can have on farmers. They acknowledge the importance of traffic control in preventing the introduction of harmful agents via visitors and their equipment.
  • Concerns about unintended consequences: The party acknowledges concerns that the bill could be used to silence animal rights groups or prevent the exposure of poor animal treatment, referencing the term 'ag-gag' legislation. They also recognize constitutional concerns if the bill encroaches on provincial jurisdiction over property and civil rights related to trespassing.
  • Need for committee work: While the NDP supports the legislation in principle, they emphasize the need for further study at committee to address outstanding concerns. This includes ensuring the bill applies biosecurity measures to everyone and avoids infringing on provincial jurisdiction, as well as considering the rights of protestors and whistleblowers.
  • Balance needed: The NDP believes a balance must be struck between protecting farms from biosecurity threats and ensuring transparency and accountability in farming practices. They are optimistic that the committee can find this balance, building on work done on similar legislation in the previous Parliament.

Bloc

  • Supports the bill: The Bloc Québécois supports the principle of Bill C-275, subject to further study in committee, viewing it as a response to criminal acts rooted in extremism. They believe farmers need additional protection from trespassing.
  • Clarifying the bill's intent: Bloc members clarify that the bill is not an indictment of veganism or freedom of speech, but rather a condemnation of extremist activism and illegal acts that endanger biosecurity and could harm farmers and animals. The bill does not condone animal abuse, and Bloc members feel that personal freedoms end where the rights and freedoms of others begin.
  • Focus on biosecurity risks: The Bloc emphasizes the importance of biosecurity standards on farms to prevent the transmission of pathogens, referencing examples such as mad cow disease and avian flu. They highlight the potential for devastating consequences to the agri-food complex, public health, and biodiversity if these standards are breached.
  • Addressing farm trespassing: Bloc members discuss a specific trespassing incident at Les Porgreg farm in Saint-Hyacinthe, where activists protesting animal farming allegedly caused a rotavirus outbreak. Members believe that the bill will help prevent similar incidents by deterring wrongdoers through significant consequences.

Liberal

  • Supports biosecurity focus: The Liberal party will support Bill C-275 with amendments to focus on biosecurity. They aim to prohibit entry into on-farm biosecurity zones where animals are kept, except in accordance with established protocols.
  • Existing laws adequate: Current federal and provincial statutes, including the Criminal Code, already address trespassing on farms. Recent cases demonstrate existing legislation can be used to lay charges against trespassers.
  • Shared jurisdiction concerns: The bill's current wording may infringe on provincial jurisdiction over property rights, as provinces already have laws against trespassing. The focus should be on agricultural practices within the federal jurisdiction.
  • Acknowledges farmers' hardships: The Liberal party acknowledges the increasing hardships faced by farmers, including supply chain issues, rising costs, climate change, and animal diseases. They recognize the need to support farmers and the agri-food sector through various initiatives and funding.
Was this summary helpful and accurate?

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 15th, 2023 / 6:30 p.m.

Conservative

John Barlow Conservative Foothills, AB

Madam Speaker, I request a recorded division.

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 15th, 2023 / 6:30 p.m.

The Assistant Deputy Speaker Carol Hughes

Pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the division stands deferred until Wednesday, June 21, at the expiry of the time provided for Oral Questions.

The House resumed from June 15 consideration of the motion that Bill C-275, An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms), be read the second time and referred to a committee.

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

It being 3:40 p.m., pursuant to order made on Thursday, June 23, 2022, the House will now proceed to the taking of the deferred recorded division on the motion at second reading stage of Bill C-275 under Private Members' Business.

Call in the members.

Before the Clerk announced the results of the vote:

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 4:05 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. member for Vancouver Centre is rising on a point of order.

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 4:05 p.m.

Liberal

Hedy Fry Liberal Vancouver Centre, BC

Mr. Speaker, I inadvertently voted nay. I would like to vote yea on the last vote.

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 4:05 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

The hon. member is asking for unanimous consent to change her vote. Do we have unanimous consent?

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 4:05 p.m.

Some hon. members

Agreed.

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

Vote #393

Health of Animals ActPrivate Members' Business

June 21st, 2023 / 4:05 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.

(Motion agreed to, bill read the second time and referred to a committee)