Ontario – Have Your Say!

Doug Ford has tabled his proposed Legislative changes regarding animals used in research. These amendments have been added to an already existing bill – Bill 75 – Keeping Criminals Behind Bars Act 2025

These proposed amendments would alter the existing legislation – Ontario Animals for Research Act (see link below). First reading now in the books….second reading is ongoing.

AND….HERE IS THE LOOPHOLE 

Regarding “Invasive Medical Research”:

15.1  (1)  No person shall perform invasive medical research on cats, dogs or other prescribed animals.

Exception

(2)  Despite subsection (1), invasive medical research on an animal mentioned in that subsection is permitted at a registered research facility if,

  (a)  the research is for a veterinary purpose set out in the regulations or is otherwise described in the regulations;

  (b)  the operator of the registered research facility where the research would be performed submits a research project proposal that meets the prescribed criteria, if any, to the animal care committee for the registered research facility;

   (c)  the animal care committee reviews the research project proposal and provides the operator of the registered research facility with its approval, in writing, in accordance with subsection 17 (3.1); and

  (d)  the research is carried out in accordance with the approved research project proposal and in accordance with any prescribed requirements, conditions or limitations.

Until January 9, 2026 the people of Ontario has the opportunity to voice their feedback to the proposed changes to this legislation (see link to feedback registry below).

Below, are several links that will help explain the existing legislation, proposed changes and the link to the registry for the public to submit their feedback (deadline Jan 9, 2026)

Proposed Amendments:

https://www.ola.org/en/legislative-business/bills/parliament-44/session-1/bill-75

Ontario Registry for public feedback – Deadline for submissions is Jan 9, 2026:

https://www.regulatoryregistry.gov.on.ca/proposal/52653

Ontario Animals for Research Act:

https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90a22

CALL TO ACTION:

• Provide feedback via the registry link above
• Send an email to:
  • Trevor Jones, Minister of OMAFA | Email: Minister.omafa@ontario.ca
  • Ryan Puviraj, Chief of Staff | Email: Ryan.Puviraj@ontario.ca
  • Premier Doug Ford | Email: Premier@ontario.ca
• Finally, please share this on your social media accounts..thank you