HSLM reported last month that, with 27 days' notice, the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) announced it would no longer enforce animal cruelty legislation in Ontario.
Since then, the government asked the OSPCA for an extension to January, 2020, to allow time for new legislation to pass and a new system to be put into place. The OSPCA refused, but did agree to their original June 28 extension offer.
The Ontario government has remained tight-lipped as to their intentions after this date, but has announced it will be surveying municipalities about the current landscape of animal welfare enforcement.
Meanwhile, HSLM has corresponded with the Solicitor General of Ontario and our local Progressive Conservative MPP, Jeff Yurek, about the necessary requirements for an adequate system in the province to protect animals. We also met with NDP MPP’s Peggy Sattler, Teresa Armstrong and Terrence Kernaghan, with the same message. Furthermore, we held meetings with London Police Services and City of London Licensing and Municipal Law Enforcement – By-Law Enforcement to share our message in our efforts to protect animals in London, once the OSPCA deadline in June hits.