Hello Fellow Universal Ostrich Farm Supporters,
Sorry for another update so soon. There is a strategy Governments employ when trying to carry out unpopular acts. It's called Attrition Through Delay. Essentially, you drag an issue out, for months on end, wearing down your opponent and their supporters, until they capitulate from sheer weariness and exhaustion. A cruel tactic, to be used when the Government's position is not based on sound reasoning and compassionate governance. We have been witnessing this strategy in action, and the poor farmers of Universal Ostrich Farms have been the targets, with we, their supporters, the ones to be worn out with distraction and fatigue. I hope the Government, at the 11th hour, decides to act with compassion, follow the science to the potentially amazing breakthroughs the Ostriches offer, and elevate this issue to the Supreme Court of Canada.
Sadly, it appears that yesterday, helicopters flew over the farm, terrifying the farmers and the ostriches.
According to Drea Humphrey from Rebel News, the cull is set for this weekend, as per to a tip. There was a tip earlier in the month that a task force was set to descend upon the farm which thankfully didn't happen. But, this is the game the CFIA is playing. Attrition through Delay. Wear down your opponent and their resources. Truly shameful, when Government uses cruel tactics on its own people, who are just trying to defend healthy animals who could provide an incredible boon for the world.
I have added an Update to the Email Template with some additional important details for Government Officials to consider.
I have added the contact information for Pierre Poilievre to the list of Government contacts, and I hope that he chooses to add his voice to those recognizing the opportunity the Ostriches provide, and the absence of harm they present.
I have added the contact information for Sean Fraser (Attorney General of Canada) to the list as well, with the hope that he will see the legal merits of the case, and add his voice to those requesting the Supreme Court of Canada take on this unprecedented issue.
I have added the contact information for John Barlow (Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food) since he is the opposition critic of Heath MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food) and, we hope, will encourage his counterpart to push for the CFIA to halt the cull, or advance this issue to the Supreme Court of Canada.
It appears that a company called Clearway may be contracted in the culling of the Ostriches this weekend, probably to transport the poor birds once the deed is done. I include their contact information as well. If you contact them, please be courteous, and simply suggest if they have been contracted for the cull, to reconsider the job.
If anyone is near Universal Ostrich Farms (Edgewood BC), Katie Pasitney, encourages you to visit this weekend.
I understand this is all wearying. It's by design. That doesn't mean it's not effective. Attrition through Delay.
Just do your best with what you can. 🙏🏻 That's all anyone can ask for.
Update to Email 📧 Template Below ⬇️
Subject : Helicopters Terrifying Farmers and Ostriches. Stamping Out Policy Meant For Industrial Poultry, Not Isolated Ostrich Farm. CFIA Ignores Own Exemption For Rare, Genetically Valuable Birds. Supreme Court Needed.
Update : September 19th, 2025
Reports indicate that helicopters have recently flown over the farm at night, shining lights directly onto the ostriches, while the timing of the cull appears to coincide with a public speech by Drea Humphrey of Rebel News — the journalist most actively documenting this case. This raises serious concerns about whether the CFIA is attempting to carry out the killing of 400 ostriches under circumstances designed to minimize public scrutiny rather than in accordance with proportional, science-based decision-making.
The circumstances of this farm make this case exceptional and uniquely suitable for review by the Supreme Court of Canada. First, the CFIA's “stamping-out” policy was created for industrial poultry operations and is not designed for an isolated, non-food ostrich farm involved in cutting-edge scientific research, including studies on antibody-rich eggs with potential implications for avian influenza treatment. Second, CFIA itself maintains a policy allowing exemptions for rare and genetically valuable birds — a category into which these ostriches clearly fall. Despite this, the exemption has been denied, putting the health of the flock, ongoing research, and potentially valuable scientific findings at risk.
Given these extraordinary facts, this matter cannot be left to standard court processes; it demands review at the Supreme Court of Canada, to ensure that science, fairness, and proportionate policy prevail over bureaucratic expediency.
September 15th, 2025 : “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)]
COMPANY (potentially contracted to assist in cull)
Clearway : Car and Truck Rentals
Phone : (604) 850-6522
Contact Form : https://clearwaybc.ca/contact/
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. The Honourable Pierre Poilievre
Leader of the Opposition
Constituency: Battle River—Crowfoot
Email
pierre.poilievre@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons
Telephone: 613-947-4608
Constituency Office
Telephone: 780-608-4600
3. The Honourable Sean Fraser
Attorney General of Canada
Constituency: Central Nova
Email
sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons
Telephone: 613-992-6022
Constituency Office
Telephone: 902-752-0226
4. 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
5. 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
6. 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
7. John Barlow, M.P.
Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Agri-Food
Constituency : Foothills, Alberta
Email : john.barlow@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons Phone : 613-995-8471
Constituency Office : 403-603-3665
8. 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
9. MLA: Hon. David Eby, K.C. (Share Thanks / Ostrich Supporter)
Premier and President of the Executive Council
Vancouver-Point Grey
Office
Email : Premier@gov.bc.ca
Phone:(250) 387-1715
Constitency
Email : David.Eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Phone: 604-660-1297
10. The Honourable Lana Popham
BC 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
11. 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
12. Hui Hang
Director of Operations, CFIA (Pacific Region)
Phone: 604-644-9624
Email: hui.hang@inspection.gc.ca
13. Media Relations Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Email : aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
Phone : 1-866-345-7972
14. CFIA : Complaints
* Fill out online form
https://active.inspection.gc.ca/netapp/contactus/contactuse.aspx
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-1.2889780
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