As a vegan, I was horrified to read that the bodies of crushed sea stars are being thrown onto the sidewalks of Dorval and Kirkland. These sea stars, despite not having a centralized brain, have neurons throughout their entire bodies and are both sentient and feel pain. It is deeply distressing to think that these sea stars were likely ground up alive, presumably while still conscious, and are now being walked upon by unsuspecting residents.

The significance of this issue extends beyond just the inhumanity of it. While it's commendable that efforts are being made to find alternatives to salt, given its toxicity to marine life in Lake Saint Louis, turning to such a cruel method is hardly a solution. Animals are not waste nor byproducts. Ethically, we cannot ignore the suffering caused in the name of convenience or environmental care.

The designation of sea stars as "invasive species" should not give us carte blanche to disregard ethical considerations. Their supposed ecological threat must not be met with unnecessary cruelty. We must prioritize finding a cruelty-free vegan source of calcium chloride or other animal-friendly salt alternatives.

There are many advances in eco-friendly de-icing products that do not compromise the environment or animal welfare. We urge local authorities and environmental agencies to explore these options. With this petition, we seek to compel stakeholders to recognize both the ethical and environmental implications of their de-icing choices.

Sign this petition to demand the immediate cessation of using crushed sea stars and to promote the adoption of ethical, sustainable de-icing methods. Together, we can ensure that our solutions do not come at the cost of cruelly exploiting marine life.