Canada's Jane Goodall Act (Bill S-15) passed the Senate but never reached a final vote in the House of Commons. We are calling on the federal government to reintroduce this landmark legislation and protect elephants and great apes from exploitation in captivity.
Canada must not abandon its promise to protect elephants and great apes.
The Jane Goodall Act, Bill S-15, represented a historic opportunity for Canada to take a meaningful stand against the exploitation of some of the world's most intelligent, social and sentient animals.
The bill passed third reading in the Senate on December 17, 2024. However, Parliament was prorogued before it could proceed through the House of Commons, and the legislation never became law.
This is unfinished business.
Elephants and great apes are highly intelligent, emotionally complex beings who form deep social bonds, experience distress and deserve to live free from exploitation. Yet in Canada, these animals can still be bred, imported, exported and used for entertainment under circumstances that the proposed legislation sought to restrict.
Bill S-15 would have prohibited the breeding, import and export of elephants and great apes, with limited exceptions in their best interests, for conservation or for scientific research for conservation. It also proposed restrictions on their use in performances and elephant rides.
We believe Canada has a responsibility to move forward with meaningful protections for these animals.
We, the undersigned, call upon the Government of Canada to:
Reintroduce the Jane Goodall Act or equivalent legislation that preserves the protections established in Bill S-15.
Prioritize its passage through Parliament without unnecessary delay.
End the exploitation of elephants and great apes in captivity for entertainment and commercial purposes.
Restrict captive breeding, import and export in accordance with the protections proposed in the original legislation.
Ensure meaningful, enforceable protections that put the welfare and best interests of these animals first.
Dr. Jane Goodall lent her name and support to this important effort. Canadians, animal advocates and concerned citizens must continue the work she championed.
The fact that this legislation did not become law does not mean the need for protection has disappeared.
Celebrities such has Cher has lent her voice in support of
Bill S-15
Canada has an opportunity to show leadership, compassion and responsibility. We urge our elected representatives to bring back the Jane Goodall Act and ensure that its protections become law.
Please sign and share this petition. Let our government know that Canadians expect better protection for elephants and great apes.
Let Cananda be remembered as the first in the world to establish these landmark protections . This is our chance to lead by example and inspire other nations showing the world we chose compassion , and its reflected in our laws.
