A heartfelt and furious email from an eyewitness (Mel Clifford) to the cull demands accountability from CFIA for their decisions and subsequent actions as 900 shots ring out and over 300 innocent lives are snuffed out.
We are asking everyone who reads this to contact CFIA. Please feel free to use this excellent letter below from Mel.
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA):
- Marjorie Michel – Federal Minister of Health – Email: marjorie.michel@parl.gc.ca
- Mark Carney – Prime Minister – Email: mark.carney@parl.gc.ca
- Sean Fraser – Minister of Justice – Email: sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca
To:
Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Government of Canada
Subject: Formal Complaint and Demand for Accountability – Inhumane Nighttime Slaughter of Ostriches
Dear CFIA Officials,
I am writing to express my profound disgust, heartbreak, and outrage over the recent culling operation at the Universal Ostrich Farm. The acts that occurred under the cover of darkness were not only inhumane but may also constitute serious violations of Canadian law and clear breaches of the CFIA’s own animal-welfare and operational policies.
Eyewitness accounts and live footage confirm that over 900 bullets were fired during the operation, which took place at night. The horrific event was live streamed worldwide, leaving viewers across Canada and beyond in disbelief at the brutality being carried out on Canadian soil — by a federal authority. The chaos, screams, and terror of that night are etched into the hearts of everyone who witnessed it.
Supporters who had been peacefully present at the farm were left out on the highway when roads were closed, with no prior warning that the cull was about to begin. Families who had lovingly raised these animals for decades were denied even a moment to say goodbye. The secrecy, aggression, and lack of coordination surrounding this operation were appalling and deeply unethical.
Adding to the injustice, the CFIA has since accused supporters of harassment, doxing, and intimidation. I must make it absolutely clear that any such actions — if they occurred — were not carried out under the instruction, encouragement, or approval of the farm’s owners or their family. The owners have consistently called for peace, respect, and lawful accountability. Any attempt to shift blame toward them or distort public perception is both unfair and misleading.
Furthermore, this operation appears to have breached multiple CFIA policies, including:
• The CFIA Humane Transportation and Slaughter Guidelines, which require that animals be handled and euthanized in a way that minimizes pain, distress, and fear.
• The CFIA Code of Conduct for Employees, which mandates professionalism, accountability, and adherence to ethical standards.
• The Health of Animals Regulations, which set out humane handling and culling requirements and explicitly prohibit unnecessary suffering.
These failures also raise serious concerns under the Canadian Criminal Code, including:
• Section 445.1(1)(a) – Causing unnecessary pain, suffering, or injury to an animal.
• Section 446(1)(b) – Failing to exercise reasonable care and supervision to prevent unnecessary suffering.
• Section 264.1(1) – Engaging in intimidating or distressing conduct.
• Section 430(1)(c) – Mischief causing damage to property (animals recognized as property under law).
• Section 122 – Breach of trust by a public officer.
If CFIA officers or agents acted in ways that inflicted unnecessary pain, disregarded humane standards, or violated their own policies, such actions may constitute both ethical and legal breaches.
Accordingly, under my right to access government information, I am formally requesting the release of all communications, correspondence, reports, internal memos, budgets, and footage exchanged between the CFIA and any other agencies, organizations, contractors, or individuals from December 31, 2024, until the date the CFIA officially left the Universal Ostrich Farm. This includes, but is not limited to, documents and recordings relating to planning, authorization, execution, and review of the cull operation.
I am also demanding that the CFIA:
- Provide a full public explanation for the decision to conduct a nighttime mass shooting involving over 900 rounds.
- Acknowledge that supporters’ independent actions were not directed by the owners and retract any misleading allegations.
- Investigate all breaches of CFIA policy and Canadian law, ensuring accountability for every individual involved.
- Establish new safeguards and transparent oversight to prevent such cruelty and misconduct from ever occurring again.
This tragedy — witnessed live by people around the world — has deeply damaged public confidence in the CFIA’s compassion, integrity, and competence. The ostriches who suffered and died that night, and the people who loved and defended them, deserve truth, justice, and lasting change.
I expect a prompt, transparent, and detailed response outlining how the CFIA will address these grave violations and provide the full documentation requested above.
Sincerely,
