Last June the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) ranked Quebec as 12th out of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories based on their animal protection laws. ALDF considered Quebec to be “the best province in which to mistreat an animal.”
Quebec animals are now considered “sentient beings” instead of property. The Minister of Agriculture, Pierre Paradis is hoping to change Quebec’s reputation. Bill 54 has the goal of “enshrining animals in Quebec’s Civil Code as sentient beings — that is, feeling and sensing life forms — with their own “biological imperatives,” and not as “furniture” or other movable assets.” The bill highlights the desire of Quebec’s government to punish animal cruelty and is modeled after European legislation (legislation identity was not revealed). Bill 54 has also taken into consideration the animal protection laws in Manitoba, British Columbia, and Ontario.
Fines for those that commit offenses against animals have doubled and range from $500 CDN to $250,000 CDN. Offenders may also receive up to 18 months in prison. Quebec Justice Minister Stephanie Vallee said, “Bill 54 is written in a way that reflects how legislation positively evolves in response to society’s own advancements.”
l’Union des producteurs agricoles (UPA) said that the bill provides flexibility to allow for currently accepted farming practices within the national codes of practice for livestock care and husbandry. UPA said, “[The bill] demonstrates increased public concern, both in Quebec and elsewhere, for the well-being of animals, and that the public wants assurance of humane practices in housing, shipping and slaughter of livestock, as well as safe and responsibly-produced food. For Quebec producers, mistreating an animal, regardless of the circumstances, is an unacceptable action and should be strongly reprimanded.”
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