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By MPP Toby\nBarrett<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Last\nspring the Ontario Government introduced temporary measures to ensure the\nwelfare of animals, after the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals\nannounced it was withdrawing enforcement. Temporary measures were necessary\nwhile the province worked with animal welfare stakeholders to develop a new\nprovincial enforcement model.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We have\nnow passed the Provincial Animal Welfare\nServices Act<\/em> \u2013 also known as PAWS. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Ontario is\nthe first province in Canada to introduce a provincially-operated enforcement\nsystem that will include locally deployed provincial inspectors, and\nspecialized inspectors for zoos, aquariums, horses and other livestock. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The public\ndemands tough enforcement to ensure the welfare of our animals. This new oversight\nframework will be accountable and transparent and will introduce the strongest\npenalties in Canada for offenders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Under this\nmade-in-Ontario model, the province will have: the highest degree of direct\nprovincial oversight and direct accountability and transparency for animal\nwelfare enforcement and investigation; it will have flexibility to rapidly\nrespond to operational uncertainties, such as a surge in call volume; and it\nwill have stable funding set by the province. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Provincial\ninspectors will have the authority to conduct investigations and perform\nenforcement activities related farm livestock. Inspectors will have the\nexpertise required to perform this work through extensive training, while also\nhaving the option to consult veterinarians and industry experts, if required. As\na further measure of oversight, we will be keeping the Animal Care Review Board\nin place and there will be on-going consultation with the agriculture sector to\ndevelop and maintain agriculture-specific standards of care. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Our new\nlaw will provide inspectors with the specific powers they need to carry out\ntheir duties rather than the broad, police-like powers that were provided under\nthe OSPCA<\/em> Act. A mandatory code of\nconduct for the chief animal welfare inspector and animal welfare inspectors\nwill be established. Under the Provincial\nAnimal Welfare Act,<\/em> a one-window public complaints process to review any complaints\nsubmitted by the public on an animal welfare inspector\u2019s conduct will be\ndeveloped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We have\nalso strengthened provisions related to harming an animal that works with a\npeace office, or service animal. <\/p>\n\n\n\n To date I\nhave received favourable feedback on the PAWS approach to be desirable. During\ncommittee hearings, Keith Currie from the Ontario Federation of Agriculture\nsaid, \u201cThis bill is a step in the right direction.\u201d Mike Zimmerman from Animal\nWelfare Watch Ontario said, \u201cThis bill is the best law in Canada, possibly\nNorth America, and maybe the best in the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Earlier\nthis year, our government set up a call centre. It is a toll-free line for the\npublic to report an animal in distress or animal abuse. Call 1-833-9ANIMAL. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Enforcement\nis now the responsibility of the province. As stakeholders indicated, vigorous\ntraining and oversight is imperative for the efficacy of inspectors. The chief\nanimal welfare inspector \u2013 appointed by Ontario\u2019s Solicitor General \u2013 and the\nprovincial inspectors are subject to oversight by the Auditor General, the\nOmbudsman, and the Information and Privacy Commissioner. <\/p>\n\n\n\n PAWS is\nthe first step to a permanent enforcement model, a detailed oversight\nframework, and a modernized legislative framework. For development of future\nlong-term regulations, the Ontario government will be setting up a\nmultidisciplinary advisory table made up of a wide range of experts including\nveterinarians, agricultural representatives, academics, animal advocates and\nothers to provide ongoing advice to the ministry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n