Animal welfare debate brings issue to campaign trail in Winnipeg

With the federal election just days away, animal welfare issues took center stage Tuesday night, as the Winnipeg Humane Society hosted local candidates to discuss their positions on policies impacting pets and anything on four legs.

Over the 90-minute debate, Ian Macintyre of the Liberals, NDP candidate Emily Clark, and the Green Party’s Dennis Bayomi outlined their views, touching on the export of live horses for slaughter.

“Absolutely, we, the Liberal Party, support the banning of live horse transfers for slaughter,” said Ian MacIntyre, the federal Liberal candidate for Elmwood–Transcona.

The significance of creating more pet-friendly housing.

“We want to ensure we fund pet-inclusive transitional housing and shelters. Because when you are fleeing a dangerous situation, the last thing you want to do is leave behind that companion that you love so deeply,” said Emily Clark, the federal NDP candidate for Kildonan–St. Paul.

And a desperate need for greater veterinary services in northern Manitoba.

“Beginning with providing more funding for more veterinary services, fund the expansion of vet schools, provide incentives for youth to train as veterinarians so they can return to their communities,” said Dennis Bayomi, the federal Green candidate for Winnipeg West.

In the end, for the most part, the candidates in attendance were able to agree on a number of issues.

“I think that animal welfare was front and center, and that all three parties really represented how Canadians feel about protecting animal welfare,” said Clark.

MacIntyre adding, “You could see that from the debate we agree on where this country has to go.”

Director of Legal Advocacy for Animal Justice, Kaitlyn Mitchell, says while there may be more pressing issues on the top of mind of voters, it’s still important to take animal welfare concerns into consideration. 

“They matter to all of us, as people, as folks that live with companion animals, but also the millions of animals that also live here and call Canada home,” said Mitchell.