I reject the Ministry's…

I reject the Ministry's proposal to allow new licenses and the transfer of licenses for trial and train areas in Ontario. The Ministry is supposed to protect our natural resources and uphold ethical standards and regulations, not exploit these resources and sell out our province's ethics and wildlife. It is my firm believe that we, as Ontarians, need to reconsider our sense of entitlement to natural spaces and the non-human species who live within these spaces. They are not ours to exploit and torture. The world is cruel enough without our intentional and deliberate infliction of harm - both physical and emotional - on other beings.

We live in one of most beautiful places on Earth, and we share this space with a fascinating array of non-human species. I am in utter disbelief that the government would even consider moving forward and allowing such blatant disrespect for Ontario's wildlife, wild spaces and ecosystems, not to mention the inherent cruelty perpetuated by these programs. I really can't believe that I have to speak out and say NO, I don't believe it is ok to capture and steal animals from their natural spaces, hold them hostage in pens, and then allow them to be ripped apart by dogs with no chance to escape.

THIS IS LEGALIZED DOGFIGHTING. Is this really the Ontario we want to create? Is this really how we want to be seen by the rest of the country, or by the rest of the world? We have come so far to advance our animal welfare laws. By comparison to many other countries, we are seen as leaders with some of the highest standards of humane treatment of the animals - whether livestock, domestic animals, or wildlife. To allow this proposal to move forward is a massive step backwards for our province, and a stain on our national and global reputation.

I respectfully ask you to reconsider this proposal. Please step back and consider what this decision means, on a broader level than simply appeasing a group of hunting enthusiasts. This is an opportunity to demonstrate the Ministry's leadership in fostering appreciation and respect for our natural resources. It is an opportunity to uphold the highest standards of ethics and humane practices - something that all Ontarians count on you to do. It is an opportunity to move Ontario forward in a positive and progressive light. It's an opportunity to say NO, we will no longer condone this type of exploitation of our province's resources.

Please shut down these trial and train areas - all of them - for good.