Controversial Private Member's Bill C-246 Voted Down

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With a count of 198 nays to 84 yeas, Nathaniel Erskine-Smith’s controversial private member’s bill C-246 was voted down in the House of Commons this week.

This means the bill is dead and will not move forward to committee.

Titled “The Modernizing Animal Protections Act,” Liberal MP Erskine-Smith’s bill focused on banning shark finning and stiffer penalties for those caught running puppy mills, but opponents of the bill — including several farm organizations — claimed the bill was too broad in its reach and could, potentially, criminalize aspects of hunting, fishing, and livestock production.

Listen here: OFA’s Don McCabe on why Bill C-246 should be voted down

Of particular concern to the hunting, fishing, and agriculture industries was section 182 of Bill C-246, wording of which has appeared in seven iterations of similar legislation, dating back to 1999. (You can read more about the legal analysis from the fishing industry here).

In addition to the 46 Liberal MPs who voted for the bill, two Conservative and 36 NDP MPs also supported the bill to go to committee.

You can access information on how your MP voted, here.

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