Mr. Speaker, it is a privilege for me to present a petition today on behalf of 29,500 people from all provinces and territories in Canada.
The petitioners point out that in Canada individuals convicted of causing pain and injury to animals face a maximum penalty of six months in jail, a two year prohibition from having custody or control of an animal and/or a maximum fine of $2,000, but they are not ever aware of this penalty being imposed at its maximum. They point out that a number of states in the United States have now made cruelty to animals a felony offence and punishment varies from one year in jail to up to 10 years of hard labour with fines going as high as $100,000.
They point out a number of horrid situations that have occurred in our country regarding cruelty to animals. They are asking the Government of Canada to impose harsher penalties for serious offences against animals and to establish an educational program for judges to help them understand society's abhorrence and condemnation of acts of cruelty to animals.
I present this petition with a great deal of pride.