The CFIA/RCMP operation at Universal Ostrich Farms has already potentially cost an estimated $930,000 over 18 days, with no transparency on actual spending. These funds could instead support wildfire prevention, rural food security, youth mental health, conservation, and more. MP Scott Anderson’s Petition E-6857 has garnered 35,000 signatures in six days. Email template below available to share this information with decision makers.  

Below is a detailed, itemized breakdown of the estimated taxpayer-funded costs associated with the CFIA and RCMP operation at Universal Ostrich Farms from September 22 to October 9, 2025. This budget is only a "best guess" as there has been ZERO transparency on the part of the CFIA on the actual cost of this nearly 3 week operation so far. This budget highlights how public resources have been allocated across personnel, infrastructure, animal care, and administrative expenses, providing an estimate of the financial impact of the ongoing operation.

Itemized Budget: CFIA/RCMP Operation at Universal Ostrich Farms (Sep 22 – Oct 9, 2025, 18 Days)

Total Estimated Cost: $930,891
Range: $609,523 – $1,252,259

1. RCMP Costs (45 Officers, ~50 with shifts)

Wages & Benefits:

Base ~$315–$388/day + OT to $450–$550, avg. $500/day

18-Day Total: $405,000

Lodging:

Vernon hotels $131–$186/night, avg. $150 (some on-site camping)

18-Day Total: $121,500

Meals & Per Diem:

NJC allowance $90/day

18-Day Total: $72,900

Transportation & Fuel:

20 vehicles at $50–$100/day + Vernon shuttle $500/day

Avg. $1,500/day, 18-Day Total: $27,000

Subtotal RCMP: $626,400

2. CFIA Costs (15 Personnel, 10–15 on-site reports)

Wages & Benefits:

Base ~$218/day + OT to $350–$450, avg. $400/day

18-Day Total: $108,000

Lodging:

$150/night (some local staff reduce total need)

18-Day Total: $40,500

Meals & Per Diem:

$90/day

18-Day Total: $24,300

Transportation & Fuel:

5–10 vehicles at $50–$100/day, avg. $750/day

18-Day Total: $13,500

Subtotal CFIA: $186,300

3. Site Infrastructure (One-Time & Ongoing)

Hay Bales:

300 bales at $24.50–$40.95, avg. $32.73

Total: $9,819

Fencing:

100m blue panels at $0.40–$2.60/m/day × 18 days, avg. $2,700

Blackout Covering:

Tarps $200–$400, avg. $300

Barricades & Signage:

Safety cones, tape, signs; $5,000–$10,000, avg. $7,500

Equipment Rental:

Trailers, lights, portables $2,000–$5,000/day × 18 days, avg. $63,000

Vehicle Wear & Fuel:

RCMP/CFIA trucks/ATVs; $10,000–$20,000 total, avg. $15,000

Subtotal Infrastructure: $98,319

4. Animal Care & Incident Costs

Emergency Vet Care (Spirit): Injury/necropsy $2,000–$5,000, avg. $3,500

Feeding & Watering: 400 ostriches at $1–$2/day × 18 days, avg. $10,800

Biosecurity Measures: PPE, disinfectants $278–$530/day × 18 days, avg. $7,272

Disposal/Transport: Contingency $2,000–$5,000, avg. $3,500

Subtotal Animal & Biosecurity: $25,072

5. Administrative & Legal Costs

Legal Preparation: Counsel at $200–$400/hour × 200–300 hours, avg. $80,000

Communications & Records: Admin/media $500–$1,500/day × 18, avg. $18,000

Court Compliance: Stay filings/response $1,000–$2,000/day × 18, avg. $27,000

Subtotal Administrative & Legal: $125,000

6. Total Estimated Costs

RCMP: $355,500 – $627,000, midpoint $491,250

CFIA: $112,500 – $270,000, midpoint $191,250

Infrastructure: $58,319 – $138,319, midpoint $98,319

Animal & Biosecurity: $16,204 – $33,940, midpoint $25,072

Administrative & Legal: $67,000 – $183,000, midpoint $125,000

Grand Total: $609,523 – $1,252,259, midpoint $930,891

Key Notes

Timeline: Sep 22 – Oct 9, 2025 (18 days)

Staffing: RCMP 45, CFIA 15, shift rotations included

Wages & OT: 2025 public sector data used

Infrastructure: Hay and fencing adjusted to BC market rates

Animal Care: 400 birds; no cull yet

Legal/Admin: Scaled to 18 days using federal lawyer rates

Better Uses for Taxpayer Dollars: Redirecting Funds from the Ostrich Farm Operation

The CFIA/RCMP operation at Universal Ostrich Farms has cost taxpayers an estimated $930,891 over 18 days, despite the Supreme Court stay pausing the cull. This represents a staggering waste of resources when BC communities face pressing needs.

Imagine redirecting $930,891 to high-impact initiatives that directly benefit Canadians. Here’s what that could look like:

1. Wildfire Prevention in the Kootenays

Program Description: Fund community-led fuel reduction projects in Central Kootenay (e.g., controlled burns or tree thinning near Edgewood), protecting 500+ hectares from wildfires.

Real-World Reference: BC Wildfire Service’s $50M provincial program (2023).

Funding Impact:

$930,891 could cover 18–19 full projects (avg. $50,000 each),

Potentially saving millions in future wildfire suppression costs.

2. Rural Food Security Hubs

Program Description: Establish or expand community fridges and farm-to-table programs in Nakusp/Edgewood to combat food insecurity affecting 1 in 5 BC households.

Real-World Reference: Food Banks BC $5M rural initiative.

Funding Impact:

$930,891 could support 93 food hubs (avg. $10,000 each),

Feeding 46,500 families annually and supporting local farms.

3. Avian Flu Research & Vaccination Trials

Program Description: Invest in BC Centre for Disease Control trials for poultry vaccines, extending UBC’s $2M H5N1 studies.

Real-World Reference: France reduced outbreaks by 90%; CFIA allows imports from vaccinated flocks.

Funding Impact:

$930,891 could fund 4–5 full trials (avg. $200,000 each),

Potentially preventing 1M+ bird culls and saving $100M+ in industry losses.

4. Conservation for Rare Species

Program Description: Support BC Wildlife Federation habitat restoration for endangered birds (e.g., Sinixt traditional Arrow Lakes ecosystems).

Real-World Reference: $1M annual grants fund ~50 projects.

Funding Impact:

$930,891 could restore 93 sites (avg. $10,000 each),

Enhancing biodiversity and boosting tourism revenue by ~$1.25M/year.

5. Youth Sports & Community Recreation

Program Description: Provide sports access, recreation, and organized programs for at-risk or rural youth.

Reference: KidSport BC, $250–$500 per child per year.

Funding Impact: $930,891 could fund 1,860–3,720 children, offering year-round activities and improving mental and physical health outcomes.

6. Rural Healthcare & Mental Health Clinics

Program Description: Fund additional mental health counselors or mobile clinics in rural communities with limited access.

Reference: BC Ministry of Health, rural mental health funding gaps.

Funding Impact: $930,891 could fund 5–10 full-time rural mental health professionals for a year, directly supporting hundreds of patients.

7. Clean Water & Sanitation Infrastructure in First Nations Communities

Program Description: Improve access to safe water and sanitation in smaller communities.

Reference: Indigenous Services Canada projects; costs vary but ~$250,000–$500,000 per small community upgrade.

Funding Impact: $930,891 could fund upgrades for 2–3 small communities, improving public health.

Petition E-6857

In 6 days, MP Scott Anderson's Petition has accumulated 35K signatures. 

This petition is of particular significance because it is sponsored by Scott Anderson, an elected Member of Parliament. Unlike standard petitions, an MP-sponsored petition is officially tabled in the House of Commons, ensuring it is formally recorded and directed to the relevant ministers and committees. This means the issues raised—such as pausing the ostrich cull, ensuring animal welfare, and reviewing CFIA practices—receive direct parliamentary attention and cannot be ignored. MP sponsorship also lends credibility, amplifies constituent voices, and increases the likelihood of official oversight, hearings, and potential policy changes, making your support even more impactful.

So, if you haven't yet signed, please consider doing so, and sharing it with interested friends and family. 

Email Template To Send To Public Officials

Subject : Estimated Taxpayer Waste on Universal Ostrich Farm Operation Could Exceed $930,000 After 18 Days. It's Past Time For Alternatives To The One Size Fits All Stamping Out Policy.

Dear [Public Official],

As a concerned Canadian, I am writing to highlight the immense financial burden of the CFIA and RCMP operation at Universal Ostrich Farms in Edgewood, B.C.—estimated at $930,891 (range $609,523–$1,252,259) over just 18 days from September 22 to October 9, 2025—despite the Supreme Court of Canada's interim stay pausing the cull. This "best guess" budget, compiled from public wage scales, market rates, and on-site reports, underscores a shocking lack of transparency from the CFIA, with no official cost disclosures provided. Isn't it time to pursue better strategies, like vaccination, instead of this costly stamping-out policy?

Itemized Budget Breakdown (18 Days):

• RCMP Costs ($626,400): For 45 officers (per Rebel News estimates of ~50 with shifts), including $405,000 in wages/OT, $121,500 in Vernon lodging, $72,900 in meals, and $27,000 in fuel/transport.
• CFIA Costs ($186,300): For 15 personnel (10–15 on-site), including $108,000 in wages/OT, $40,500 in lodging, $24,300 in meals, and $13,500 in fuel.
• Site Infrastructure ($98,319): $9,819 for 300 hay bales, $2,700 for fencing, $300 for blackout covering, $7,500 for barricades, $63,000 for equipment rental, and $15,000 for vehicle wear.
• Animal Care & Incidents ($25,072): $3,500 for vet care (e.g., injured ostrich Spirit), $10,800 for feeding, $7,272 for biosecurity, and $3,500 for disposal contingency.
• Administrative & Legal ($125,000): $80,000 for legal prep, $18,000 for communications, and $27,000 for court compliance.

This staggering sum—potentially far higher given unaccounted variables like overtime spikes or hidden contractor fees—could be better redirected to urgent needs in British Columbia. For instance:

• Wildfire Prevention: Fund 18–19 fuel reduction projects in the Kootenays ($50,000 each), protecting communities from blazes like the 2024 McDougall Creek fire and saving millions in suppression costs.
• Rural Food Security: Support 93 community fridges in areas like Nakusp ($10,000 each), feeding 46,500 families amid rising insecurity (1 in 5 BC households).
• Avian Flu Research: Finance 4–5 vaccine trials ($200,000 each), building on UBC's H5N1 studies to prevent future culls costing $100M+ in losses.
• Indigenous Youth Mental Health: Sponsor 90 wellness camps for Syilx/Okanagan youth ($10,000 each), reducing suicide rates by 20% in at-risk communities.
• Conservation for Rare Species: Restore 93 habitats in Arrow Lakes ($10,000 each), boosting biodiversity and tourism revenue by $1.25M/year.

These alternatives aren't hypothetical—they address real BC crises while the operation drags on without progress. France's mandatory duck vaccination (61 million doses since 2023) slashed outbreaks by 90%, proving success without full stamping-out, and the CFIA lifted import restrictions on unvaccinated French products in January 2025 after safety evaluations. Why can't Canada follow suit? The CFIA has precedents: a 2022 exemption for an H5N2-infected turkey flock allowed vaccination and monitoring instead of depopulation, and policy permits exemptions for rare or genetically valuable poultry. These ostriches—survivors of a highly mutated H5N1 strain (per CFIA reports)—fit perfectly, with their robust immune systems potentially yielding superior vaccines for poultry protection, benefiting human health and the industry.

MP Scott Anderson's Petition E-6857, reaching 35,000 signatures in just 6 days, demands a pause for welfare checks and CFIA reform—now tabled in Parliament, it ensures ministerial review and underscores public outrage. With no transparency on costs or bird care (farmers denied access, cameras disabled), how can we trust this process? I urge you to grant an exemption for testing and vaccination, redirect resources to innovative solutions, and provide full financial disclosure. Let's prioritize science, compassion, and fiscal responsibility—end this waste today.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[City, Province, Postal Code]

Entering The Third Week

We are entering the third week of this standoff. So much taxpayer money wasted which could be better utilized in countless ways. It's past time this cull order is reversed and real progress is made towards a more logical, scientific, and humane approach to stamping out is enacted. 

Thank you for your continued support everyone. 

Decision Makers

*** Contact Your Local MP ***

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1. The Right Honourable Mark Carney
Prime Minister of Canada

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2. The Honourable Pierre Poilievre
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House of Commons
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Attorney General of Canada

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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
* Jenette (his lovely Parliamentary Assistant)
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 (Conservative Caucus)

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 
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