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Activist Toolkit

Advocating for Farm Animals in Canada

While Farm Sanctuary is based in the U.S., where we do most of our work, we have many supporters in Canada, and our Canadian friends often ask us how they can make a difference in their own country. We hope the Activist Toolkit provided below will help answer that question.

Most forms of activism - leafleting, tabling, writing to your local newspaper, and so on - are the same whether you're in the U.S. or Canada. When it comes to these activities, be sure to refer to our main Activist Toolkit page. 

The biggest differences between advocacy in the U.S. and in Canada are related to how the governments are structured - for example, whether legislative bodies have one house or two, whether particular officials are elected or appointed, the various steps a bill must go through to become a law, and so on. 

While the specifics may vary, however, the local and national governments of the U.S. and Canada share one important feature: democracy. Your elected officials, and even your appointed officials, are charged with representing your interests. And how do they know what your interests are? You tell them yourself! Be sure to call and write to your elected officials often and let them know that animal issues are important to you.

Find out who represents you in Parliament here.

Find out who represents you in your provincial legislative assembly:

Alberta
British Columbia
Manitoba
New Brunswick
Newfoundland
Northwest Territories
Nova Scotia
Nunavut
Ontario Here or here
Quebec
Saskatchewan
PEI
Yukon

If you'd like to know more about how laws are made in Canada, go here. 

This guide on "How To Be An Activist" was written by Elizabeth May, who was executive director of the Sierra Club of Canada for 17 years. While the guide was originally written for environmental activists, the excellent advice contained within it works just as well for animal issues.  

Finally, while Canada could certainly use more groups working to protect farm animals and promote compassionate living, you may wish to see what existing groups are up to before you launch your own. Farm Sanctuary is not associated with any of the following groups, but you may find them to be useful resources.

Voice For Animals Humane Society

Toronto Animal Rights Society

Canada Federation of Humane Societies

Liberation BC

The Animal Legal Defense Fund has an excellent listing of animal protection laws (U.S. and Canada). Check out their 2009 Canadian Animal Law Protection Rankings too!