Hi Everyone,
Another tough week has passed for Universal Ostrich Farms. They lost their 2nd Appeal and the cull could begin at any moment. The final chance is for this case to be heard by the Supreme Court of Canada. But, if any case deserves it, this one does. In the news for more than 8 months. International attention. Numerous experts, researchers, politicians and countless citizens opposed to the cull. This is precisely the kind of case the Supreme Court is meant to hear and create a precedent to deal with these types of situations going forward.
Please find below an Email Template you can send to Government Officials. Note that I've included the link you can follow to find your MP (Member of Parliament), they definitely should be contacted to advocate for you and your concerns as is their duty.
I've also included below contact information for Canadian media, and they also should hear about your support for the Ostriches.
Government cannot behave as an unfeeling and absolutist automaton when it comes to the lives of animals, who based on more than a century of scientific knowledge, are no threat to anyone.
It's time a precedence was codified into law which allows for flexibility in unique situations like that of Universal Ostrich Farms, so other farmers do not have to go through the emotional turmoil they have endured for more than half a year.
Thanks everyone.
EMAIL TEMPLATE
Subject : “CFIA Won’t Budge, Appeals Court Won’t Act — Supreme Court Must Hear This Case”
Last week, Cathy Furness, Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer for the CFIA, presented an affidavit to the Honourable Justice Gerald Heckman with updated arguments in support of the forced cull of 400 ostriches at Universal Ostrich Farm. While these arguments were formally made, a closer examination shows that they fall flat when weighed against the scientific evidence, procedural fairness, and common sense.
The CFIA’s claims are speculative, relying on minimal testing, outdated assumptions about virus survival, and uncertainty about ongoing infection — all while ignoring the ostriches’ proven immunity and recovery over the past eight months. Justice Heckman’s ruling, which sided with policy over the farm’s rights and dismissed critical evidence, underscores a fundamental problem: the farm has not been able to access meaningful justice through the regular court process.
This situation is too important to be left unresolved. The issues raised — scientific uncertainty, proportionality of government action, and the protection of private property and unique research opportunities — deserve a thorough, precedent-setting examination at the Supreme Court of Canada. Only the highest court can ensure that policy is applied fairly, rationally, and based on evidence rather than bureaucratic dogma.
Below are the key flaws in both the CFIA’s case and Justice Heckman’s ruling that highlight why this matter must be escalated immediately.
Key flaws in the CFIA’s case:
• Speculative shedding: The ostriches have been healthy for over 8 months. Even CFIA admits it has no evidence they remain infected. “Silent shedding” happens only during active infection, which clearly ended months ago.
• Environmental risk exaggerated: CFIA cites 4–6 months survival at low temperatures, but B.C.’s record summer heat would have destroyed the virus long ago.
• Testing was inadequate: The cull order was triggered by PCR results from only two birds, out of more than 400. That is not a scientifically defensible basis for killing an entire flock.
• Past virulence ≠ present danger: While CFIA labels the strain “highly virulent,” 85% of the ostriches survived. Immunity in these birds is a rare scientific opportunity, not a threat.
• Knowledge gaps ignored: CFIA itself admits it does not know how long immunity lasts in ostriches. That makes these birds uniquely valuable for research—not candidates for destruction.
Key flaws in Justice Heckman’s ruling:
• No serious issue. Judge says the farm raised nothing worthy of Supreme Court review:
The issue is precedent-setting — killing healthy, immune ostriches despite scientific uncertainty is clearly arguable.
• Full and meaningful opportunity. Judge says the farm already had its chances:
Core evidence on immunity and proportionality was excluded; CFIA got late submissions with no chance to respond. Hardly “meaningful.” This ruling was one-sided.
• Public interest outweighs farm harm. Judge says risk to health exceeds farm losses:
CFIA admits they don’t know if birds are infected. Birds have been healthy 8 months through record heat. Destroying 400 ostriches and unique research value is irreversible.
• CFIA mandate must prevail. Judge says CFIA must act under Parliament’s authority:
Mandates aren’t absolute. Courts must ensure proportionality. Destroying the flock blocks rare scientific research.
• Highly pathogenic strain. Judge cites lab tests showing virulence:
Lab mice ≠ ostriches. 85% survived initial outbreak. Birds show immunity — killing them wastes a unique scientific opportunity.
• Policy over sympathy. Judge prioritizes law and policy over farmer hardship:
Judicial review isn’t a rubber stamp. Oversight requires evaluating whether less extreme measures could protect public health without total destruction.
The CFIA’s approach, combined with the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision, risks irreversible harm—400 healthy, potentially immune ostriches will be destroyed, and a rare scientific opportunity lost forever. The law and policy cannot justify ignoring clear scientific uncertainty or procedural imbalance. It is imperative that this matter be reviewed by the Supreme Court of Canada to ensure that public health measures are applied rationally, proportionately, and transparently, and that private property and scientific research are not sacrificed unnecessarily. The eyes of Canada, the scientific community, and the entire world are on this case. Only the Supreme Court can provide the oversight and definitive guidance this unprecedented situation demands.
Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City/Province]
[Postal Code (could add a bit more weight, if so inclined)]
DECISION MAKERS
*** Contact Your Local MP ***
📩 Search for your Member of Parliament
https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en/search
1. The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada
Online Contact Form: Contact the Prime Minister
Website: https://www.pm.gc.ca/en/connect/contact
X (formerly Twitter): @MarkJCarney
2. Paul MacKinnon
President, Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA)
Phone: 613-867-7045
Email: Paul.MacKinnon@inspection.gc.ca
Source: GEDS Directory
new.geds-sage.gc.ca
3. Dr. Mary-Jane Ireland
Chief Veterinary Officer, CFIA
Phone: 343-553-5166
Email: Mary-Jane.Ireland@inspection.gc.ca
Source: GEDS Directory
new.geds-sage.gc.ca
4. The Honourable Heath MacDonald
Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food
https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/heath-macdonald%28109891%29?utm_source=chatgpt.com#contact
Constituency: Malpeque, Prince Edward Island
Email
heath.macdonald@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons
Telephone: 613-992-2406
Constituency Office
Telephone: 902-566-4577
5. The Honourable Marjorie Michel
Minister of Health
Phone: 613-957-0200
Email: hcminister.ministresc@hc-sc.gc.ca
Source: GEDS Directory
new.geds-sage.gc.ca
6. The Honourable Lana Popham
Minister of Agriculture and Food; MLA for Saanich South
Parliamentary Office Phone: 250-387-1023
Constituency Office Phone: 250-479-4154
Email: Lana.Popham.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Parliamentary Email : AF.Minister@gov.bc.ca
7. Scott Anderson (Share Thanks / Ostrich Supporter)
Member of Parliament
Vernon—Lake Country—Monashee, British Columbia (District of Universal Farms)
Telephone: 613-995-3501
Email : scott.anderson@parl.gc.ca
8. Hui Hang
Director of Operations, CFIA (Pacific Region)
Phone: 604-644-9624
Email: hui.hang@inspection.gc.ca
MEDIA
CBC VANCOUVER NEWS
- https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/contact-us-1.3982389
. cbcnewsvancouver@cbc.ca
. 604-662-6801
CBC : The National
. https://www.cbc.ca/news/thenational/how-to-reach-the-national-1.2889780NADIAN
CTV NEWS
- https://www.ctvnews.ca/about-us/contact-us/
. CTV News: news@bellmedia.ca
. CTV News Channel: newschannel@ctv.ca
. Telephone National: 1-866-690-6179
GLOBAL NEWS
- https://globalnews.ca/pages/contact-us/
. Viewer Contact: ViewerContactBC@globalnews.ca
. Comment Line: 778-945-9399 (Please leave a message with your name, phone number and your comment. Abusive comments will not be forwarded or given a response.)
CITY NEWS
- https://vancouver.citynews.ca/contact/
. Tel: (604) 872-2557