Would the “real” Doug Ford please stand up!

Three recent quotes from Doug Ford in relation to dogs and cats being used in scientific experiments in Ontario:

“You aren’t going to use pets — cats or dogs — to experiment any longer. Simple as that. We just don’t do that. It’s cruel and it’s not acceptable.”

“They’re part of our families … Go with the mice, go with the rats, no problem — but these are pets,” Ford said, adding he’s an “animal lover.”

“I can’t believe they got away with that this long.”

Throughout Canada all provinces have legislation in regard to animal welfare protections. Many provinces will mention in their legislation about animals being used for scientific purposes and will reference Canadian Council of Animal Care (CCAC). But Ontario is unique in that this province has an Act specifically about animals in research. It is called the Animals for Research Act: https://www.ontario.ca/laws/statute/90a22

So here in Ontario we have current legislation about animals being used for research by both public and private sector entities.

That is right, in Ontario under the Animals For Research lab’s can contact an animal control – pound and say they require dogs and cats for research. By law, the pounds must comply.

Premier Doug Ford stands in front of reporters appalled, outraged – even showing shock that dogs and cats are being used in research experiments when HIS OWN legislation not only permits it but provides these labs access to dogs and cats by allowing them to get dogs and cats from animal controls (aka pounds).

The Ontario Legislature is back in session next month – on October 20th (2025). Doug Ford has committed to introducing new legislation to ban the use of dogs and cats in animal research.

Please remember that animal research is a business. It is being conducted at many many tax payer funded hospitals as well as private sector businesses.

Premier Ford – we will be watching to see if you will keep your promise!