First Quebec Workgroup Meeting Held

March 20, 2009

	Better days ahead.© istock

On March 13, 2009, Humane Society International/Canada participated in the first of several meetings of a Quebec workgroup aimed at improving animal welfare.

This was the first time in years that this many SPCAs and SPAs were together in the same room—15 in total. HSI Canada played an important role, urging as many to sit at the table as possible and find common ground. Other participants included pet industry and veterinary associations, and provincial government officials, among them constructive Director of the Quebec “Institut National pour la Santé Animale,” Madeleine Fortin. The workgroup was adroitly headed by Mr. Geoff Kelley, the Liberal minister appointed to chair this diverse collection of organizations.

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The workgroup started with introductions and position statements on issues of most concern to each representative, followed by frank discussions all round. A vast array of interesting solutions were put forth, including a mandatory registration system. While many improvements need to be made, such as minimum standards of care, this is an encouraging first step. Over the coming months, the various problems and solutions will be evaluated to improve Quebec’s animal welfare governance.

Update

October 9, 2009: Quebec Responds to Animal Welfare Report

HSI Canada will be a strong voice to this end, with plans to propose broad, sweeping measures to finally help dogs and cats live with the dignity they deserve: tougher provincial laws and penalties; giving the mandate to all Québec SPCAs/SPAs to enforce Quebec’s animal welfare laws; and increasing funding from the government to do so.