.jpg)
2 hours ago
3
Article content
TORONTO, June 26, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ontario’s final regulations implementing the amendments to the Animals for Research Act enacted through Bill 75 have now been published and will come into force on January 1, 2027.
THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.
- Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.
- Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.
- Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.
- National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.
- Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.
REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account.
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.
- Enjoy additional articles per month.
- Get email updates from your favourite authors.
THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.
Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.
- Access articles from across Canada with one account
- Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments
- Enjoy additional articles per month
- Get email updates from your favourite authors
Sign In or Create an Account
or
Article content
The regulations follow amendments to the Act prohibiting “invasive medical research” on dogs and cats, subject to exceptions. Animal Alliance of Canada welcomes these changes as an important step forward for animals in Ontario and a reflection of growing public concern about the use of animals in research. While recognizing this progress, Animal Alliance notes that the final regulations do not address the recommendations made during the public consultation process.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Animal Alliance encouraged the Ontario government to adopt clearer definitions, stronger independent oversight, narrower exemptions, meaningful rehoming requirements, and broader protections for other animals used in research, including non-human primates. The final regulations largely maintain the framework originally proposed by the government, leaving key areas of concern unaddressed, such as:
Article content
By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.
Article content
- No mandatory requirement to re-home dogs and cats after research
- No independent oversight of Animal Care Committees
- No closure of Ontario’s pound-to-research pipeline
- Rather than prioritizing the replacement of animals with modern non-animal methods, the regulations treat the use of “animals of a lower order” as an acceptable substitute
Article content
“Bill 75 marked a significant shift in how Ontario approaches the use of dogs and cats in research,” said Kira Berkeley, Advocacy Manager at Animal Alliance of Canada. “The regulations are an important part of making those protections meaningful. While we welcome this progress, we believe Ontario can and should continue strengthening the framework to better protect animals and accelerate the transition to modern alternatives to animal research.”
Article content
Article content
For decades, Animal Alliance has campaigned to end Ontario’s pound-to-research pipeline, under which unclaimed dogs and cats can be transferred from municipal pounds to research facilities. The new regulations do not eliminate the provisions that continue to permit this practice.
Article content
“For over 30 years, we’ve fought to end the Ontario government’s exploitation of vulnerable dogs and cats by permitting their use by the research establishment,” said Liz White, Co-Founder of Animal Alliance of Canada. “The newly proposed changes are designed to keep dogs and cats “behind bars” in steel cages used and discarded. Their treatment hidden behind a wall of secrecy.”
Article content
Underscoring the gap in rehoming provisions, Animal Alliance of Canada has convened a network of Ontario rescue organizations ready and able to take in animals released from research facilities. To date, none have been contacted to do so.
Article content
Animal Alliance of Canada will continue reviewing the final regulations and advocating for reforms that reflect both scientific progress and the strong public expectation that animals be treated with compassion and respect.
Article content
Media Contact:
Article content
Bianca Del Bois
Director, Communications & Development
Animal Alliance of Canada
[email protected]
Article content
About Animal Alliance
Article content
Animal Alliance of Canada is a national organization specializing in legislative and policy advocacy for the protection of animals. For over 30 years, Animal Alliance’s work has spanned multiple species and jurisdictions, combining evidence-based research, stakeholder collaboration, and direct engagement with all levels of government to advance humane, effective, and accountable animal protection policy.
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
Article content
English (US)