The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is not above the law.
But this agency has for decades enabled the air exports of large draft horses to Japan for slaughter. Some past shipments have been conducted illegally, violating the CFIA's own regulations. The breaches have involved lack of adequate head clearance and overcrowding in flimsy wooden crates. The CFIA argued that the shipments were humane and acceptable.
Based on evidence of violations, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition (CHDC) launched a lawsuit against the CFIA in 2018. The federal court judge assigned to the case dismissed our lawsuit, stating that the CFIA does not have to follow its regulations and they have the discretion to decide how to enforce them. We disagree. We feel that this outcome exposes a serious fault line in Canada's judicial system.
The cruel exports of live horses by air continue. Recent evidence reveals that many shipments go past the 28 hour maximum without food, water and rest - this is the limit required by law. The long, exhausting journey has resulted in many horse deaths and injuries. Even so, the CFIA continues to enable the exports.
As if the unkind treatment of horses is not enough, the CFIA has further stepped in to kill hundreds of ostriches in Edgewood, B.C., claiming that the birds might be infected with avian flu or that they could be carriers of the virus. There is no proof of these allegations and no regard has been given to the rights of the property owners and their birds. The "stamping out" policy touted by the CFIA involves invading private property and slaughtering animals as the agency sees fit. 
No government agency is above the law. Canadians don't have to accept the bullying behaviour exhibited by the CFIA. And we won't. 
We demand accountability from the agency and call upon the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food to conduct a thorough review of current CFIA officials. We require that their current taxpayer-funded employment be contingent on successfully completing courses in ethics training and the humane, respectful treatment of animals and their caregivers.
We note that the CFIA officials involved are veterinarians. This is a further travesty, as Canadians expect professionally-trained experts to recognize animal suffering for what it is, and in keeping with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) oath, "promote animal health and welfare, and prevent and relieve animal suffering".
The refusal of the CFIA to recognize the plight of animals and the emotional trauma inflicted upon their caregivers is unacceptable. 
The CFIA supposedly stands accountable to Canadians. Therefore, we demand a full review of the officials who carry out animal-related duties for the CFIA. Decisions made within the agency must be based on sound science and facts without engaging in overreach, disrespect, and lack of compassion for animals and their caregivers.  
Join us in demanding accountability from the CFIA!