Mr. Speaker, I have the pleasure to present a petition on behalf of my constituents and constituents throughout the country dealing with the Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare. The petitioners call upon the government to look at the issue of scientific consensus and public acknowledgement that animals can feel pain and suffer. All efforts should be made to prevent animal cruelty.
About a billion people around the world rely on animals for their livelihood and they acknowledge that. There are animals that are significantly affected by natural disasters, et cetera. They are asking that the government undertake to sign the Universal Declaration of Animal Welfare, support it and put it into effect as soon as possible for the sake of animals both here and around the world.