I reached out to Doug Ford regarding pets' legal recognition as property. He replied back promptly and guided me to the Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General. I emailed Mr. Kerzner's office about a month ago and I understand that it takes time to hear back as they are very busy.
What You Can Do
Please send a polite letter to the Honourable Michael Kerzner urging him to act on the pressing issue of pets' legal recognition as a piece of property. Ask him to let Ontario set an example by leading the way in acknowledging pets as sentient beings deserving of protection and consideration.
You can send polite comments by:
- Sending an e-mail to michael.kerzner@pc.ola.org
or - Using the form on their website: https://michaelkerznermpp.ca/contact/
or - Calling: 416-630-0080
Please post in the discussion below if you contacted Mr. Kerzner, so we have an estimate of the count.
Please feel free to use the template I created, but remember that using your own thoughts and feelings can be more effective:
Dear Honourable Michael Kerzner,
I'm writing to you today as a concerned citizen and urging you to ensure that pets are no longer considered property in the eyes of the law. Pets are cherished members of our families and it is disheartening to witness them treated as mere property.
Pets are not possessions; they experience attachment, joy, pain, anxiety, fear, love, and loss. I want to see Ontario set an example by leading the way in granting companion animals recognition of their sentience. Granting them appropriate rights will:
1) Ensure better protection against animal abuse and neglect.
2) Promote responsible pet ownership by encouraging individuals to consider their pets' emotional well-being.
3) Facilitate the creation of laws that prioritize the best interests of pets in cases like estate litigation, custody battles, or divorce proceedings.
Will you commit to giving pets' recognition of their sentience?