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Dear Honourable Senator (Last Name):
Re: Bill C-10
I am pleased that Bill C-10, regarding changes to the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code, has reached the Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs.
As you are aware, the majority of Canadians are firmly in favour of enhancing the protection of animals from cruelty, abuse and neglect. It is high time the Criminal Code was changed to reflect public opinion. Despite the well-established link between animal abuse and violence towards humans, under the Code as it now stands a sentencing judge is limited to imposing a maximum jail term of six months for animal cruelty. I trust you will agree that increasing the available punishment for killing or harming animals, as proposed in Bill C-10, would deter people from committing acts of violence towards animals. Further, such changes may prevent future acts of violence towards humans.
The Standing Committee on Justice and Human Rights heard from, and responded to, the concerns of some groups, such as hunters and fishers, who oppose Bill C-15B (now Bill C-10), and recommended that the Bill be passed. The Bill was passed in the House with relatively minor amendments, and I would urge the Senate to do the same. This Bill does not pose a threat to the livelihoods of people in animal-use industries, nor does it put them at greater risk of prosecution.
I thank you for your time, and look forward to hearing you stand up and fully support Bill C-10.
