BILL 35 & SENTIENT LAW

Building Better Laws for Animals

The door is open right now to strengthen animal protection at both the provincial and federal levels. It will not stay open without public support. Together, we can help move animal protection forward.

Animals in captivity depend entirely on the standards we set and the laws we enforce. When oversight is weak or inconsistent, animals can suffer in ways the public rarely sees.

Bill 35

On May 29, 2025, Liberal MPPs Lucille Collard and Karen McCrimmon brought back the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025, as Bill 35 in the Ontario Legislature. The bill received its First Reading that day, which means it has begun the legislative process, though debate has not yet started.

This legislation was first introduced as Bill 236 in 2024. It did not move forward before the provincial election and expired on the Order Paper.

As of 2026, Bill 35, the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025, is before the Legislature and awaiting Second Reading. If passed, it would create a province-wide licensing and inspection system for zoos and other facilities that keep wild animals in captivity.

These include zoological institutions, roadside zoos, private collections, mobile wildlife displays, and exotic animal attractions that house big cats, primates, bears, reptiles, birds, and other species for exhibition, breeding, or entertainment. Some operate seasonally. Others travel between communities offering animal encounters and live shows. Standards and oversight vary widely depending on location.

Ontario does not have a comprehensive provincial framework governing these operations. Regulation largely relies on municipal bylaws, resulting in uneven standards and gaps in accountability. Bill 35 would establish consistent licensing requirements, inspections, and enforcement tools to strengthen animal welfare and public safety across the province.

Second Reading is a key step. It determines whether the bill moves forward for debate and committee review. When MPPs hear directly from residents, it matters.

On Reflection

The concerns surrounding Marineland led to greater public awareness and the passage of the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Actin 2019. That moment shifted the conversation. More people now recognize that protections for animals in captivity are not always consistent or strong enough.

Ontario remains the only province without comprehensive legislation regulating the keeping of exotic wild animals in captivity. While certain rules apply to native wildlife and specific species, it is generally legal to own or breed exotic animals such as tigers, lions, apes, reptiles, birds, and other mammals, often subject only to municipal restrictions. This patchwork approach leaves standards uneven across communities.

Public expectations have also changed. There is growing emphasis on education, conservation, and responsible care rather than entertainment. Oversight should reflect that shift.

These reforms are not intended to target responsible facilities. They are about ensuring that animals are treated humanely and that communities remain safe across Ontario.

How We Can Help

If you live in Ontario, email your MPP and ask them to support Bill 35 at Second Reading. You do not need to write a long letter. A brief, respectful message is enough.

Find your MPP at:
https://www.ola.org/en/members/current

Need help starting your e-mail? We have included sample letters at the end of this post you can personalize and send.

Recognizing Animals as Sentient Beings in Federal Law

At the federal level, the House of Commons e-Petition e-6955 calls for animals to be recognized in Canadian law as sentient beings rather than property.

Recognizing sentience reflects established scientific understanding. Animals can feel pain, stress, and pleasure. Updating federal law would bring greater clarity and consistency to how animals are regarded across Canada.

Review and sign the petition here (you don’t need to login, scroll down the page):
https://www.ourcommons.ca/petitions/en/Petition/Sign/e-6955

The deadline to sign is March 17, 2026, 10:05 a.m. (EDT).

Why Your Voice Matters

Elected officials pay attention when residents speak up. Emails are read and recorded. When many people act at once, it sends a clear message that animal protection is a shared priority.

Please, act now.
Email your MPP.
Sign and share e-Petition e-6955.

Share this with friends and family. Momentum builds when more people step forward.

Progress does not happen on its own. It happens when people take small, thoughtful steps that add up to something larger.

For the animals who have no voice in this process, let’s use ours to ensure wild animals are treated with the care, oversight, and respect they deserve.

Sincerely,
Kelly Wallace
Founder and Managing Director
Think Turtle Conservation Initiative
Phone/Text: 647-606-9537
E-mail: thinkturtle@yahoo.com
Facebook: thinkturtleci
Username: Wallace Kathleen Kelly
Website: thinkturtle.ca
Facebook Post: #1774

Sample Letters To Personalize  

#1 Letter (more detailed version)

Subject: Support Bill 35 at Second Reading

Dear [MPP’s Name],

I am writing as a constituent to express my support for Bill 35, the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025, and to encourage you to support it as it moves to Second Reading and through the legislative process.

Ontario does not have a province-wide system to license and regularly inspect zoos and other facilities that keep wild animals in captivity. Without consistent provincial oversight, standards can differ significantly between municipalities. Bill 35 offers an opportunity to establish clear, enforceable requirements that strengthen animal welfare, public safety, and accountability.

By introducing a formal licensing framework, inspection measures, and enforcement authority, the bill would help ensure that facilities meet defined standards of care. Its provisions limiting the use of wild animals for entertainment also respond to public concern about practices that prioritize exploitation over well-being.

This legislation is not about singling out responsible operators. It is about creating consistent expectations across Ontario and addressing regulatory gaps that have existed too long. Residents expect wild animals in captivity to be treated humanely and facilities to operate safely and transparently.

I respectfully request your support for Bill 35 at Second Reading and throughout committee and final consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to hear your perspective on this issue and your plans for captive wildlife protections in Ontario.

Thank you for your time and for representing our community.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Postal Code]

#2 Letter (less detailed version)

Subject: Support Bill 35 at Second Reading

Dear [MPP’s Name],

I’m writing to ask you to support Bill 35, the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025, and to help it move forward to Second Reading and through the legislative process.

Right now, Ontario does not have a consistent licensing and inspection system for zoos and captive wildlife facilities across the province. Bill 35 would set clear standards, provide oversight, and ensure accountability. This could help ensure wild animals in captivity are treated humanely and that our communities stay safe.

This is a practical and important step toward better animal protection in Ontario. I hope you will support the bill as it moves through the Legislature. I would appreciate knowing your position on this matter.

Thank you for your attention and consideration.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Postal Code]

#3 Letter (short version)

Subject: Support Bill 35 at Second Reading

Dear [MPP’s Name],

I’m writing to ask you to support Bill 35, the Captive Wildlife Protection Act, 2025, and help it move forward to Second Reading and through the legislative process.

Ontario currently lacks a consistent, province-wide system for licensing and inspecting captive wildlife facilities. Bill 35 would introduce clear standards and oversight to protect wild animals better and strengthen public safety.

Please support this important step forward for animal protection in Ontario. Thank you.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Postal Code]