YOU CAN HELP PASS BILL C-355

First published Dec. 12, 2024. Updated Dec. 21, 2024.

Okay, we know, we know, you’ve signed and shared petitions including multiple Member of Parliament sponsored e-petitions – THANK YOU.

[Those e-petions went a long way to getting Bill C-355 — a bill to ban the live export of horses from Canada to any other country by air for the purpose of slaughter or to fatten for slaughter — read in Parliament.]

You’ve called and written Members of Parliament and maybe even met with Members of Parliament – again and again. THANK YOU.

[Your responses helped get Bill C-355 through not only Parliament but also the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Agri-Food. WELL DONE.]

And now that Bill C-355 is in the hands of Canadian Senators you may have already contacted at least one Senator or multiple Senators. Again, THANK YOU.

You may have used form letters – like the one you’ll find HERE.

If not? Please do.

Again from the bottom of our hearts – THANK YOU.

Would you, could you, take a few minutes this holiday season to send 11 individual emails to the Senators who serve on the Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry? It appears that the bill is going to end up in the hands of that committee after the break for the holidays. So we need to make noise – NOW. There are 12 members. The Chair of the Committee, Senator Rob Black is NOT in favour of the bill passing and is fighting hard for the bill to be thrown out.

WE STILL NEED YOUR HELP…

We’re listing ALL the Committee members below and providing an email to copy and paste to each!

NOTE: Government servers will block emails addressed to more than one person. We know it’s a pain but if you could send 11 individual emails your voice will be heard.

COPY + PASTE x 11 EMAILS

Subject: Urgent Support Needed for Bill C-355

Dear [Senator’s Name],

I am writing to respectfully urge you to support the swift passage of Bill C-355: the Prohibition of the Export of Horses by Air for Slaughter Act, currently under debate in the Senate. This critical piece of legislation addresses a profoundly inhumane practice that has no place in Canada’s modern values of compassion and animal welfare.

Every year, thousands of Canadian horses are subjected to harrowing journeys when they are tightly packed into wooden crates and flown to countries like Japan, where they are slaughtered for consumption as a raw delicacy. These flights, which can legally last up to 28 hours, often violate legal time limits for transport without food, water, or rest.

Horses endure immense physical and emotional stress, with inadequate space increasing the likelihood of injuries, collapses, and even deaths during transit.

Investigations by Animal Justice and Japan’s Life Investigation Agency have revealed the shocking realities of this practice. Evidence shows that flights frequently exceed legal time limits, and new records from the Government of Japan expose a higher rate of horse fatalities, injuries, and illnesses than Canadian reports acknowledge. This cruelty has drawn widespread condemnation from Canadians across all political affiliations.

Multiple e-petitions including one with over 77,000 signatures have been tabled in the House of Commons, reflecting the strong public demand for an end to this practice. Bill C-355 represents a narrowly focused and practical measure, targeting only the export of live horses for slaughter by air.

It does not impact the horse racing industry or the shipment of horses for other sporting purposes, or shows or personal use, all of which adhere to much higher standards of care when shipping. Furthermore, as a stand-alone bill, it cannot be amended in ways that would compromise its intent, eliminating concerns about potential overreach into other sectors.

Canada’s government pledged to ban the export of live horses for slaughter in 2021, and MP Tim Louis introduced Bill C-355 in 2023 to fulfill this promise. While the bill has successfully passed the House of Commons, it faces delays in the Senate. These delays risk perpetuating unnecessary suffering for countless horses and undermining Canada’s commitment to humane treatment of animals.

Supporting Bill C-355 affirms Canada’s dedication to compassion, empathy, and justice. It sends a clear message that we prioritize the welfare of our animals and align our policies with the values of the Canadian people. I implore you to vote in favour of this bill and advocate for its expeditious passage through the Senate.

Thank you for considering this urgent matter. I look forward to your response and to seeing Canada take a meaningful step toward a more humane future.

Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your Email Address]
[Your Phone Number]

SENATOR ROBERT BLACK
(Chair)
Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Canadian Senators Group
Telephone: 613-943-3416
Email: robert.black@sen.parl.gc.ca

Sadly, Senator Black is strongly opposed to Bill C-355.

SENATOR PAULA SIMONS
(Deputy Chair)

Province: Alberta
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-943-8242
Email: Paula.Simons@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR SHARON BUREY

Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Canadian Senators Group
Telephone: 613-996-8692
Email: Sharon.Burey@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR MARNIE MCBEAN

Province: Ontario
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-5770
Email: Marnie.McBean@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR MANUELLE OUDAR

Province: Quebec – La Salle
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-3172
Email: Manuelle.Oudar@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR KAREN SORENSEN

Province: Alberta
Traditional Territory: Treaty 7
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-944-1115
Email: Karen.Sorensen@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR JOHN M. MCNAIR

Province: New Brunswick
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-5060
Email: John.McNair@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR CHANTAL PETITCLERC

Province: Quebec – Grandville
Affiliation: Independent Senators Group
Telephone: 613-995-0298
Email: Chantal.Petitclerc@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR ELIZABETH MARSHALL

Province: Newfoundland and Labrador
Affiliation: Conservative Party of Canada
Telephone: 613-943-4011
Email: elizabeth.marshall@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR TRACY MUGGLI

Province: Saskatchewan
Affiliation: Progressive Senate Group
Telephone: 613-943-1382
Email: Tracy.Muggli@sen.parl.gc.ca

SENATOR DAVID RICHARDS

Province: New Brunswick
Affiliation: Non-affiliated
Telephone: 613-943-6263
Fax: 613-943-6265
Email: David.Richards@sen.parl.gc.ca

BUT WAIT… Didn’t we say there were 12 Senators on the committee but we’ve only mentioned 11 emails – so far?

Senator Pierre Dalphond is on the Committee and fighting tirelessly to push this bill through as written. If you have an extra minute or two, please send him a thank you note!

SENATOR PIERRE J. DALPHOND

Province: Quebec – De Lorimier
Affiliation: Progressive Senate Group
Telephone: 613-943-3688
Fax: 613-943-3684
Email: PierreJ.Dalphond@sen.parl.gc.ca

WE ARE CURRENTLY RAISING FUNDS IN SUPPORT OF...

The Bouvry slaughter plant in Alberta is currently closed, though whether that closure is temporary or permanent remains unclear. The plant in Quebec continues to operate.

You might be surprised that in many parts of Canada, independent butchers report receiving requests to slaughter horses alongside other livestock. To some, money is money — and an animal is simply meat so slaughter continues to thrive across Canada.

Ban Horse Slaughter continues to intervene directly — purchasing horses from kill buyers and from pens operated by First Nations Bands before they are shipped for slaughter. With the help of a foster network, we place horses into safe, permanent homes.

MARCH 2026: We are currently raising funds to purchase and support a small group of draft horses from a situation where a kill buyer has offered top dollar.

The costs extend well beyond purchase — transport, feed, veterinary care, and ongoing support.

Ban Horse Slaughter is 100% volunteer-run.

0% goes to salaries.

If you would like to help us continue this work:

DONATE