Photo by Whitehorse Star
Environment Minister Nils Clarke
Animal Protection and Control Act receives assent
The new Animal Protection and Control Act received assent in the legislature on Wednesday.
The new Animal Protection and Control Act received assent in the legislature on Wednesday.
It will provide a comprehensive, enforceable legal framework for managing all aspects of animal protection and control in the Yukon and establishes higher standards of care than what previously existed, the government said.
The act includes permits and inspections of animal-related businesses, expands enforcement tools to address high-risk and feral animals and empowers local officers to take action.
The Yukon Party pointed out that several organizations have expressed concerns about a lack of consultation about the changes, but the government declined the party’s urgings to delay passage of the act.
“Stakeholders throughout the territory will continue to be engaged with as regulations are developed for the new legislation,” the government said in a statement.
The act is expected to come into effect in 2023 after regulations are developed.
“The new Animal Protection and Control Act will modernize the Yukon’s animal protection and control system and better protect Yukoners and animals in the territory,” said Environment Minister Nils Clarke.
“The new act will strengthen animal enforcement, improve animal welfare standards and better regulate animal-related businesses.”
“We want our agriculture industry to produce high-quality products that feed our communities and contribute to the local economy,” added Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker.
“This new legislation supports the health and growth of our agriculture sector by providing modern and effective animal protection through clear requirements for livestock control and welfare.”
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Comments (12)
Up 2 Down 4
Juniper Jackson on Nov 22, 2022 at 10:09 pm
So, as I read this, it's about squeezing a few more dollars out of people.. putting unneeded pressure on the FeedStore and Duffys..and the police getting to use some anonymous animal complaint to charge into your home and have a look at things?
This is my laugh for today. NO ONE in the Territory at this time is prepared to accomplish this. So, Streiker, didn't you change parties when you left the City of Whitehorse council?... Is Canadian Food Investigation Agency going to open an office here to do this? I think of Agriculture as grain and broccoli. But, animal/meat inspection falls under that hat, and this IS an animal Act.
We want our agriculture industry to produce high-quality products that feed our communities and contribute to the local economy,” added Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker.
Are the Liberals, after closing down our few farms, selling pork and turkeys?
Up 5 Down 2
Groucho d'North on Nov 22, 2022 at 3:18 pm
@ Pet Lover
You raise an important point: You say you "treat your two dogs like your children". If one of your neighbours does not agree with how you treat your children should authorities (not just the RCMP) be permitted to enter your home and sieze your children? Of course not, there is due process that must be followed to ensure the laws are met fairly without violating the rights of any of the parties. Not all people are as caring for their animals as you and I may be, and there is a spectrum of care people deliver to ther pets. There's lots of grey area to interpret what these standards of care may be....and what they should be. I am hopeful the yet-to-be-drafted regulations spell these issues out clearly.
Up 3 Down 1
yukong on Nov 22, 2022 at 9:38 am
Hey Pet Lover, you'll learn a lot more if you read more than headlines.
Up 2 Down 7
Pet Lover on Nov 21, 2022 at 8:32 pm
@Groucho That's exactly the kind of reasoning I figured they would use. Basically saying red tape is more important than animal welfare. Or maybe it's their twisted version of freedom from the big bad government. 'Nobody can tell ME how ta treat my critters!'
It's a matter of principles and conscience really. Is animal welfare or some fear of possible police over reach or warrants (red tape) more important to you? My two dogs are like my children so that should tell you where I stand!
Up 11 Down 3
Groucho d'North on Nov 21, 2022 at 2:47 pm
@ Pet Lover
The opposition was quite clear why they did not support the passing of this Bill in its present form. They have concerns with the enforcement provisions allowing police to enter private property without an appropriate warrant, they also advocated that groups and organizations that will be affected by this Bill are given an opportunity to review what government created for a new law - still no regulations. But the Silver Liberals slammed the door shut on any further comments and inputs from the public and affected animal owners. Such cowards! If their work was up to snuff they would not have to worry about issues identified by others as being insufficient or as is the case with Liberals - Overkill.
This is not a government that serves, rather they dictate.
Up 12 Down 14
Pet Lover on Nov 20, 2022 at 1:57 pm
Hey Dallas. I'm not saying all Yukon Party supporters condone animal cruelty. I said the Yukon Party, meaning their elected MLAs and leader Currie Dixon, voted against this Act, which they did. Look it up yourself if you don't believe me. If their supporters don't like it, they can tell them or support another party that takes animal abuse more seriously.
Agricultural people tend to support the Yukon Party precisely BECAUSE they don't want any new regulations requiring them to upgrade the standard of care for their animals. New higher standards of animal welfare might mean more work for them or more costs. Same with the dog mushers who somehow manage to have dogs die every time the Quest happens. Yet they always tell us the dogs just LOVE being run to death and having severe frostbite injuries.
Like I said, thankfully this legislation passed. If the mushers are angry, it means the government is probably doing the right thing according to anyone with a conscience. Whenever the Yukon Party gets back into power they will probably reverse these new animal protections in the name of freedom or some stupid thing, but at least for the time being, fewer animals will suffer through needless abuse.
Up 4 Down 10
Dallas on Nov 19, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Oh pet lover I had zero clue that Yukon party supporters are animal abusers and they condone animal cruelty, let me go out on a limb and say most if not all agricultural supporters are Yukon party, I can’t believe how narrow minded some people are.
Up 14 Down 4
Supreme Leader on Nov 18, 2022 at 7:50 am
Looks like supreme leader Snokes before he turned to Dark Side.
Up 14 Down 10
Animus Against the Animals - YG’s triple A rating on Nov 18, 2022 at 3:10 am
It’s about time that we started to take the protection of government workers more seriously. Can you spell abusive management? Mostyn’s PIDWA was a joke. Will this Animal Protection and Control Act replace the YEU’s Collective Agreement?
Up 19 Down 29
Pet Lover on Nov 17, 2022 at 7:31 pm
This is great news. Anything that helps to prevent or stop animal abuse is a great thing. Sure a couple of mushers and others will be angry, but the welfare of their animals is more important, no matter what Currie Dixon and the Yukon Party say. Shame on them for voting against this act to protect animals.
Up 24 Down 13
Sum Ting Wong on Nov 17, 2022 at 4:21 pm
“We want our agriculture industry to produce high-quality products that feed our communities and contribute to the local economy,” added Energy, Mines and Resources Minister John Streicker.
Hehehe - what we actually want is to increase the regulatory burden for our Yukon wannabe farmers because we feel that the skyhigh fuel and fertilizer prices and lockdowns haven't done enough to destroy their ability to produce and this conflicts with the interests of the hierarchy whose orders we are following to the letter.
Seriously, what are the problems which demand increasing regulatory hurdles for agriculture in the Yukon. Some of the best food I have seen has been produced by our farmers, and I know of no one who willfully abuses their animals, as that would be like taking a baseball bat to your own windshield.
Stop. Cease. Desist. Enough. Just collect your cash at the window and leave us all alone already.
Up 30 Down 10
Sandy land on Nov 17, 2022 at 2:31 pm
Hide your chickens.