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Bill S-203 went to vote yesterday and was approved - it will soon be made law.

While S-203 does take steps to increase the penalties for animal cruelty, it does nothing to address the gaps in existing laws that make it difficult for courts to get convictions and offer little to no protection for unowned animals.

Did your MP vote for or against S-203? Did they represent your views?

You can find out at http://www.dontbecruel.ca They also have templates for sending a letter to your MP thanking them for supporting animal rights or to express your disappointment that they failed to.

It's appalling that Canada falls behind so many other countries in protecting animal rights. I tried calling my MP today to express my disappointment, but he's in Ottawa and unavailable at the moment. I plan on trying again later.

My MP (Peggy Nash, NDP) didn't vote on this particular bill...
BUT the only two Toronto MPs on the list voted against, which of course makes me quite happy.

I am however very disappointed that the Thunder Bay MPs both voted for the bill. (I grew up near Thunder Bay, for those who don't know me.)
I have met Joe Comuzzi several times and he's even brought me muffins! For such a sweet man I find it hard to believe he voted for animal cruelty.