In February a private members bill was introduced to the House
of Commons by a rookie Liberal MP. Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, member
for Beaches – East York, stood up and read, for the record, the
title of his first bill: C-246. That bill passed first reading
without much fanfare, but now, the Modernizing Animal Protections
Act is being hotly debated across the country.
From hard right conservatives who are looking for a fight to
farmers with legitimate concerns, a range of criticisms has arisen
about C-246, how its language on closing criminal code loopholes
could impact legitimate and legal animal use, and whether or not
there is even a need for such legislation.
The Fur-Bearers are proud to have consulted on the fur-related
portions of the bill, and were joined on Defender Radio by its
author, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, to discuss the three main
components of the legislation, the far-fetched criticisms created
by some conservative members, and how supporters can help protect
animals by making C-246 law.