Senate kills tougher animal cruelty bill

Last week the senate voted to send a bill that would toughen up animal-cruelty legislation back to committee. This move effectively kills Bill C-10B because it could not come back in time for another vote before the House of Commons adjourned.

Under the bill, those convicted of animal cruelty would have faced maximum jail terms of up to five years and a $10,000 fine. The maximum penalty now is a $2,000 fine and six months in jail.

Senator Charlie Watt wanted the government to include an amendment that would refer to the hunting and fishing rights of aboriginals being guaranteed.

Watt said the legislation could affect native hunters and be tantamount to “cultural genocide” that occurred after animal activists put an end to seal hunting.

“There was a massive genocide across the Arctic. The graveyards are full of [seal hunters who killed themselves]. They had no way of supporting their families anymore and their pride was taken away.”