Canada Restricts Captive Elephants and Great Apes

Summary#

This bill limits the keeping, breeding, and use of elephants and great apes in Canada. It creates new Criminal Code offences, adds a duty to prevent natural breeding, bans entertainment uses, and sets strict federal permit rules for import, export, and certain possession. It also requires people who already have these animals to notify the federal government and allows courts to order steps in the animals’ best interests after a conviction.

• New offence to possess, breed, or allow breeding of elephants or great apes in captivity, with limited exceptions (Criminal Code s.445.3(1), (3)-(8)).
• Total ban on using these animals for entertainment or for rides/conveyance, with no exceptions (s.445.3(1)(b)).
• Legal duty to prevent natural breeding unless a permit allows it (s.445.3(2), (7)).
• Federal permits only for welfare, conservation, or conservation research; special rules for import/export (WAPPRIITA s.6(2.1), s.10(1.1)-(1.2)).
• Fines up to $200,000 on summary conviction (s.445.3(9)); courts can order relocation, habitat changes, or surrender of animals (court-order provision following s.445.3).
• Mandatory notifications to the Minister for existing animals, certain births, and provincially licensed possession (WAPPRIITA ss.11.1–11.3).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • If you do not possess an elephant or great ape, there is no direct change.
  • If you lawfully possess one on the day the law takes effect, you may keep it for life but must prevent natural breeding and notify the federal Minister within 6 months (s.445.3(2)-(4); WAPPRIITA s.11.1).
  • You cannot use these animals for entertainment or rides at any time (s.445.3(1)(b)).

• Zoos, aquariums, sanctuaries, and exhibitors

  • New possession offence, with “grandfathering” for animals you already have on the in-force date, until you relinquish possession (s.445.3(1)(a)(i), (3)).
  • Entertainment use is prohibited with no exceptions (shows, performances, rides) (s.445.3(1)(b)).
  • You must take reasonable measures to prevent natural breeding unless authorized by a federal permit for conservation or conservation research (s.445.3(2), (7); WAPPRIITA s.10(1.2)(b)-(c)).
  • You may seek a federal permit to possess animals for their welfare or for conservation/conservation research; provincial licences can also allow possession in the animal’s best interests (s.445.3(5)(a)-(d); WAPPRIITA s.10(1.2)).
  • You must notify the Minister about animals you possess on the in-force date within 6 months, and about certain offspring within 2 years of the in-force date; if you get a provincial licence, you must notify within 60 days (WAPPRIITA ss.11.1–11.3).

• Researchers and conservation programs

  • Breeding or allowing natural breeding is only allowed under a federal permit tied to conservation or conservation research (s.445.3(6)-(7); WAPPRIITA s.10(1.2)(b)-(c)).
  • Import or export of live elephants or great apes is only allowed under a federal permit for welfare, conservation, or conservation research (WAPPRIITA s.6(2.1), s.10(1.1)).

• Veterinarians and animal welfare providers

  • Possession for the purpose of providing veterinary care is allowed (s.445.3(5)(e)).
  • Courts can order changes to care, relocation, or surrender of animals after a related conviction; courts must consider expert evidence (court-order provision following s.445.3).

• Importers/exporters and transporters

  • Special permit required for any import or export of living elephants or great apes; no permit for entertainment uses (WAPPRIITA s.6(2.1), s.10(1.1)).
  • Interprovincial transport of animals remains subject to existing permit provisions under s.10(1) (WAPPRIITA s.6(3), s.10(1)).

• Provincial and federal authorities

  • Provinces may issue licences that can allow possession for animal welfare or for defined research/conservation participation (s.445.3(5)(d), (8)).
  • The federal Minister of the Environment issues permits and receives notifications; certain permitting powers may be delegated (WAPPRIITA s.10(4)-(5)).

• Timing

  • The law takes effect on a date set by the Governor in Council, no earlier than 1 year after Royal Assent (Coming into Force clause).

Expenses#

• Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• Fiscal information

  • No explicit appropriations or published fiscal note in the bill text. Data unavailable.
  • Criminal Code fine: up to $200,000 per offence on summary conviction (s.445.3(9)).
  • Administering federal permits and processing notifications: Data unavailable.
  • Enforcement costs for inspections and prosecutions: Data unavailable.
  • Potential fine revenue: Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Protects animal welfare by phasing out new possession and banning entertainment uses that can lead to harm (s.445.3(1)(a)-(b), (2)).
• Prevents growth of captive populations through a legal duty to stop natural breeding, with narrow, permitted exceptions for conservation (s.445.3(2), (6)-(7)).
• Creates a clear federal gate for import and export, limiting movements to welfare and conservation purposes only (WAPPRIITA s.6(2.1), s.10(1.1)).
• Ensures traceability: owners must notify the Minister about existing animals and certain offspring, improving oversight (WAPPRIITA ss.11.1–11.3).
• Provides enforcement tools: fines up to $200,000 and court orders to modify care, relocate, or transfer ownership in the animal’s best interests, guided by expert evidence (s.445.3(9); court-order provision following s.445.3).

Opponents' View#

• Could restrict accredited zoos’ and research institutions’ breeding and program flexibility; permits are discretionary and limited to conservation purposes (s.445.3(6)-(7); WAPPRIITA s.10(1.2)(b)-(c)). The terms “conservation program” and “best interests” may require interpretation, creating uncertainty.
• Total entertainment ban has no exceptions, which may impact facilities that relied on shows or rides, even if they claim humane practices (s.445.3(1)(b)).
• Compliance burden: duty to prevent natural breeding, multiple notification deadlines, and navigating federal and provincial authorizations add administrative costs and risks of non-compliance (s.445.3(2), WAPPRIITA ss.11.1–11.3).
• Enforcement and coordination challenges between federal permits and provincial licences could lead to inconsistent application or delays (WAPPRIITA s.10(4)-(5); s.445.3(5), (8)).
• Court-ordered relocation or surrender can be complex and costly to carry out, even though costs fall on the offender; availability of suitable sanctuaries is not addressed in the bill (court-order provision following s.445.3).