Summary#

This bill bans the export by air of live horses for slaughter or for fattening for slaughter. It also requires anyone flying a horse out of Canada to file a declaration saying the horse is not for slaughter. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) would enforce the rules. The law would start 18 months after it receives Royal Assent.

• Air export of horses for slaughter or feedlot use would stop; other purposes (breeding, sport, work) may continue with paperwork (Prohibitions).
• Every air export of a horse would require a declaration to the Minister that it is not for slaughter or fattening (Prohibitions).
• Providing false or misleading information would be an offence, with fines up to CAD $250,000 and up to 2 years in prison on indictment (Offence and punishment).
• CFIA and CBSA are named to administer and enforce the Act (Related Amendments: CFIA Act; CBSA Act).
• The Act binds federal and provincial governments as well (Binding on His Majesty).
• The law would take effect 18 months after Royal Assent, giving time to adjust (Coming into Force).

What it means for you#

• Households
  • No direct changes for most people. The bill targets a specific export practice. Data on effects on consumer prices is unavailable.
• Horse owners and exporters
  • You cannot export a horse by air for slaughter or for fattening for slaughter once the law is in force (Prohibitions).
  • For any horse you fly out of Canada, you must submit a written declaration, in the form set by the Minister, stating to the best of your knowledge the horse is not for slaughter or fattening. The Minister may require extra documents (Prohibitions).
  • If you give false or misleading information, you face offences. Maximum penalties are a fine up to $250,000 or up to 2 years in prison on indictment; or up to $50,000 or up to 6 months in prison on summary conviction (Offence and punishment).
  • There is a “due diligence” defence. If you can show you took all reasonable steps to follow the law, you may avoid conviction (Due diligence).
  • The rules start 18 months after Royal Assent. Plan documentation and contracts with this timeline (Coming into Force).
  • The bill applies only to exports by air. It does not restrict exports by land or sea (Prohibitions).
• Airlines, freight forwarders, and airports
  • Shipments of horses by air will require the exporter’s declaration before departure. Expect document checks at export points (Prohibitions; Related Amendments).
  • Carrying a horse for slaughter by air would not be lawful. Carriers that act as the exporter of record could face liability if documentation is false or missing (Prohibitions; Offence and punishment).
• Breeders, trainers, and sport/companion horse owners
  • Air export for breeding, sport, or companionship remains allowed, but only with the required declaration and any other documents the Minister prescribes (Prohibitions).
• Provincial and local governments
  • Governments are also bound by the Act (Binding on His Majesty).
  • CFIA and CBSA will lead enforcement at federal exit points (Related Amendments).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No direct appropriations or funding levels are stated in the bill. Data unavailable.
• CFIA and CBSA are assigned administration and enforcement roles; any added staffing, training, and IT costs are not quantified. Data unavailable (Related Amendments).
• Potential fine revenue from offences is not estimated. Data unavailable.
• No official fiscal note identified. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• Improves animal welfare by ending long, cramped flights for horses destined for slaughter, which can cause stress and injury (Preamble).
• Targets only slaughter-related exports; other air exports remain legal with a simple declaration, limiting disruption to sport and breeding sectors (Prohibitions).
• Uses existing enforcement bodies (CFIA, CBSA), which may ease implementation and compliance checks at airports (Related Amendments).
• Strong penalties and an offence for false statements deter non-compliance (Offence and punishment).
• An 18‑month phase‑in gives businesses time to adjust contracts, logistics, and documentation (Coming into Force).

Opponents' View#

• Ends a line of business for exporters and related workers who ship horses by air for slaughter; the bill provides no transition aid. Economic impact is unquantified (Prohibitions; Data unavailable).
• Because the bill covers only air transport, shipments could shift to land or sea routes, potentially undermining the goal while changing logistics rather than eliminating the trade (Prohibitions).
• Reliance on exporter declarations makes verifying end use abroad challenging; enforcement may be difficult and resource‑intensive (Prohibitions; Related Amendments).
• New paperwork for all legitimate air exports of horses (e.g., sport, breeding) adds administrative burden and risk of penalties for errors (Prohibitions; Offence and punishment).
• Implementation costs for CFIA and CBSA are not disclosed; lack of resources could lead to uneven enforcement or delays at airports (Related Amendments; Data unavailable).