The Supreme Court of Canada has issued a stay halting CFIA’s planned cull of 400 healthy ostriches at Edgewood while the farm’s appeal proceeds. The Syilx Okanagan Nation has also placed the farm and birds under their protection, citing Indigenous law and guardianship over unceded land. Despite this, CFIA has erected opaque barriers, disabled security cameras, and restricted drone access—blocking transparency and preventing the farm from caring for the ostriches. Several companies withdrew in protest, though Super Save Group continues, illegally covering their logos. Political leaders from B.C., Alberta, Ontario, and federal MPs are condemning the cull, calling for testing, sanctuary options, and accountability. It's a race now, and your voice is more important than ever.
More Details
The Supreme Court of Canada issued an interim stay on September 24, 2025. The stay was granted in response to the farm's urgent application for leave to appeal the Federal Court of Appeal's upholding of the CFIA's cull order, aiming to prevent irreparable harm (e.g., the birds' destruction) before the court could decide whether to hear the full case. The order pauses enforcement of the "stamping-out policy" until the application is resolved or, if leave is granted, until a final decision—requiring the CFIA to maintain custody without interference from the farm, with responses due by October 3.
Also On September 24, 2025, representatives from the Syilx Okanagan Nation (also known as the Syilx Nation) met with the farm owners, declaring the Edgewood property—located within their traditional Okanagan territory—as unceded land under Syilx protection. This assertion invoked Indigenous laws and responsibilities as caretakers of the land and native species, placing the farm and its 400 ostriches under their guardianship to prevent harm. The Syilx issued a cease-and-desist order to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), demanding an immediate halt to the cull preparations, emphasizing the birds' right to life and the territory's sacred status. While the Okanagan Nation Alliance later clarified they "do not take a position on the ostrich cull itself" but uphold broader caretaker duties, the intervention provided crucial moral and legal leverage amid escalating tensions.
Unfortunately, in a blatant attempt to obscure their actions from public scrutiny, the CFIA, with RCMP support, has erected black modular fences and barriers around the ostrich pens effectively blocking ground-level views and preventing close documentation of the site. Compounding this secrecy, NAV CANADA issued NOTAM L5650/25 on September 25, 2025, creating a Temporary Restricted Area within a 0.5 nautical mile radius below 3,000 feet AMSL until October 6, prohibiting unauthorized drones and aircraft to stop aerial monitoring. These measures hinder citizen journalism and transparency, raising concerns about accountability during a potential resumption of the cull.
Additionally, in a disturbing move that further erodes transparency, CFIA agents have been caught on video taping over and disabling the farm's security cameras. This action, documented by on-site journalists and farm spokesperson Katie Pasitney, prevents any real-time monitoring of the birds' welfare amid reports of neglect, including no feeding since CFIA took control post-search warrant. The Farmers have zero access—they can't enter the pens, examine the ostriches, or provide care, leaving them reliant on indirect glimpses from public highways or second-hand protester accounts, with no way to confirm if the CFIA is treating the birds humanely or addressing issues like the drone-induced injuries. This blackout raises grave concerns about accountability; how can we trust the CFIA is treating the birds humanely behind the closed barriers?
Several admirable companies have decided they did not want to be associated with the cull and withdrawn their services. Regrettably, Super Save Group, the Surrey-based company contracted by the CFIA to supply fencing panels, continues to bring the panels to the farm, despite knowing how deeply unpopular and unjust this cull is. Their trucks have been spotted bearing their blue-and-white/red livery, with their logos taped-over—violating Section 37.14 of the Motor Vehicle Act Regulations, which mandates clear carrier identification unless exempted for safety by the CVSE Director and compliance with alternative ID methods. This exemption must be applied for before obfuscating identifiers. Past B.C. Supreme Court rulings (e.g., R. v. McGowan, 2010) uphold strict compliance, with Super Save risking fines up to $5,490 per vehicle. Super Save Group is free to do business with whom they wish, but in a free and democratic society, they can and will be held accountable for their business decisions by consumers. The contact information for CVSE (Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement) is in the contacts section below.
A coalition of political leaders is rallying behind Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C., demanding an end to the CFIA’s senseless cull. B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad called the plan to slaughter 400 healthy ostriches “crazy” and urged testing, while Federal Conservative MP John Barlow slammed the Liberals for axing the CFIA’s Chief Redress Officer—where 27% of complaints are justified and reversed—highlighting the agency’s lack of accountability. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford voiced support, exploring immunity research and sanctuary options, while B.C. Conservative MLA Harman Bhangu and B.C. Conservative MLA Lorne Doerkson questioned the “blind process” and pressed federal ministers for answers. Adding his voice, Federal Conservative MP Scott Anderson spoke on the House floor on September 25, criticizing CFIA’s lack of transparency after visiting the farm multiple times and advocating for testing its research potential.
So, to sum up, YOU are making a massive difference! If you can, continue to contact officials, the media, the companies involved and sharing this incredible story of individual courage and love combatting blind and cold adherence to Government bureaucracy.
This is the Race To The Supreme Court!
Ultimately, no matter what happens, we will remember, and, one day, there will be accountability. Such a tale of hope struggling against despair cannot help but imprint itself on the hearts and minds of good hearted people everywhere.
Thank you for being part of this little farm's struggle. 🙏🏻
P.S : Added the following new Contact Information
- Dan Mazier, Shadow Minister of Health (counterpart of Health Minster, The Honourable Marjorie Michel)
- John Rustad, Leader of the Opposition in the BC Legislature (he has spoken out on behalf of the Ostriches publicly, calling the entire situation "crazy")
- Debbie Beresford-Green, Vice President of the CFIA
- Carlie Watson, Director General of the CFIA
- Cortnie Fortheringham, Inspector CFIA (Abbotsford) / (My understanding is the farm is in her jurisdiction)
Companies
SUPER SAVE GROUP (Supplying Fence Panels) (Please Be Polite When Contacting)
Phone : 1.800.665.2800
Email : sales@supersave.ca
CVSE (Commercial Vehicle Safety and Enforcement)
* Report Super Save Group covering up company name on their vehicles with tape in violation of Section 37.14 of the BC Motor Vehicle Act
Phone : 1-888-775-8785 (Report Commercial Vehicle Safety Violations), Press 2 (Southern Interior Region), Press 1 (Rocky Mountain District), Press 2 (West Kootenay Region)
Phone : 250-420-6202 / Cell : 250-421-3409 (Steve Desjardin, District Manager Cranbrook) (Nearest office to Edgewood)
D&N VENTURES LTD (Potentially Transported Hay Bales) (Please Be Polite When Contacting)
Possible Address : 2350 Forest View Place, Blind Bay, BC V0E 1H2
Possible Email : dbaskill@hotmail.com
Possible Owners : Daniel and Bonnie Baskill
SUNBELT RENTALS (Ostrich Supporter / Share Thanks)
Phone : 1-866-296-4214
Contact Form : https://www.sunbeltrentals.com/customer-support/forms/contact/
DAWSON IDEALEASE (Ostrich Supporter / Share Thanks)
Phone : 1-844.454.1251
Contact Form : https://www.dawsonidealease.com/contact/
CLEARWAY : Car and Truck Rentals (Ostrich Supporter / Share Thanks)
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, Nova Scotia
Email
sean.fraser@parl.gc.ca
House of Commons
Telephone: 613-992-6022
Constituency Office
Telephone: 902-752-0226
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
GEDS Directory
Telephone : 613-773-1059
Email : aafc.minister-ministre.aac@agr.gc.ca
5. 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
6. The Honourable Marjorie Michel
Minister of Health
Constituency : Papineau, Quebec
Phone: 613-957-0200
Email: hcminister.ministresc@hc-sc.gc.ca
- Source: GEDS Directory
new.geds-sage.gc.ca
Telephone: 613-947-9299
Email : marjorie.michel@parl.gc.ca
Constituency Office
Telephone: 514-277-1645
7. Dan Mazier, M.P.
Shadow Minister for Health
Constituency : Dauphin, Manitoba
Telephone: 613-992-3176
Email : Dan.Mazier@parl.gc.ca
Constituency Office
Telephone: 204-622-4659
8. 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
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
Constituency
Email : David.Eby.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Phone: 604-660-1297
10. MLA: John Rustad (Share Thanks / Ostrich Supporter)
Leader of the Official Opposition
Nechako Lakes
Office
Email : john.rustad.mla@leg.bc.ca
Phone : (250) 387-3507
Constituency
Phone : (250) 567-6820
Toll Free: +1 (877) 964-5650
11. 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
12. 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
13. Debbie Beresford-Green
Vice-President, Canadian Food Inpection Agency (CFIA)
Phone : 613-859-9118
Email : Debbie.Beresford-Green@inspection.gc.ca
14. 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
15. Hui Hang
Director of Operations, CFIA (Pacific Region)
Phone: 604-644-9624
Email: hui.hang@inspection.gc.ca
16. Carlie Watson
Director General, CFIA
Phone : 403-542-3716
Email : Carlie.Watson@inspection.gc.ca
17. Cortnie Fotheringham
Inspector, CFIA (Based out of Abbotsford)
Email : cortnie.fotheringham@inspection.gc.ca
Phone : 604-557-4500 (CFIA Abbotsford Animal Health)
Email : AbbotsfordAnimalHealth@inspection.gc.ca
18. Media Relations Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agri-Food
Email : aafc.mediarelations-relationsmedias.aac@agr.gc.ca
Phone : 1-866-345-7972
19. 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
. Telephone : (416) 384-5000
. Telephone Ontario: 1-800-668-0060
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.)
. News Tips: newstips@globalnews.ca
. News Tips Line: 604-422-6494
CITY NEWS
- https://vancouver.citynews.ca/contact/
. Tel: (604) 872-2557, Press 1 for Tips and Stories