Election candidates promise to protect animal welfare in Manitoba

Manitoba political party candidates promised to address backyard breeding, access to veterinary care in northern communities, live horse exportation and other animal welfare issues at a debate at the Winnipeg Humane Society on Sunday.

Candidates from the Liberals, Green Party and NDP discussed animal welfare at the Humane Society's first election debate. There was no Progressive Conservative candidate at the debate, although a news release had said the party would be represented by Midland candidate Lauren Stone.

"Animal care is not necessarily on the radar of folks and not necessarily [given] its due consideration and importance," NDP candidate for St. Johns Nahanni Fontaine said at the debate.

Fontaine said her party would establish a mobile spay and neuter clinic to address dog overpopulation — an issue plaguing northern communities, where people lack veterinary services.

"First Nations communities do not have access to veterinary care," she said at the forum. "That's not their fault."

She also said the NDP would include pet-friendly housing in new affordable housing stock.

LéAmber Kensley, Liberal candidate for Riel, said her party would address backyard breeding, something advocates have previously said has flourished in Manitoba because of a lack of breeder licensing requirements.

Kensley said her party would enforce current legislation and ensure fines deter irresponsible breeding.

Kensley also said the Liberals would ensure pet-friendly housing would be the default, and that landlords would instead have to opt out of allowing pets in their buildings.

"We need to promote that people who have pets are more stable, that they are more likely to be better tenants. There's a lot of fear from landlords … that they're worried about pet damage," Kensley said during the debate.

The party would also fund mobile spay and neuter clinics, Kensley said.

Wolseley candidate and Manitoba Green Party Leader Janine Gibson also made commitments about pet-friendly housing.

She said her party will ensure landlords can't ban animals from their buildings and allow pets in senior care homes if elected.

"We know having companion pets helps people be healthy," she told CBC.

Both Fontaine and Gibson promised to provide more support for the chief veterinary officer, who oversees animal welfare complaints, funding for more animal protection officers, who investigate complaints, and better education for pet owners on responsible pet ownership.

The shipment of live horses for slaughter overseas was also discussed Sunday.

In December 2022, a shipment of horses from Winnipeg's international airport to Japan exceeded the legal 28-hour limit without food, water or rest, prompting animal welfare advocates to file a legal complaint with the federal government.

The Manitoba Liberals said it would implement a provincial ban on live horse exportation, while the Manitoba NDP would put pressure on the federal government to establish a countrywide ban — which Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to in a December 2021 mandate letter.

But Fontaine said the NDP wouldn't reinstate a hog moratorium — temporarily suspending the establishment or expansion of hog farming  — while Kensley said the Liberals would.

The Green Party would advocate for more enforcement and funding to address animal welfare.

"There's no enforcement of the regulations that are in place, because it's like an 'open for business attitude,'" Gibson said.

The provincial election is Oct. 3.