I am spearheading a peaceful information session/rally to be held on
March 30, 2008, from 1pm to 3pm at the Robson Street Plaza on the south
side of the Vancouver Art Gallery whose front entrance is located at 750
Hornby Street in downtown Vancouver.

On Sunday March 30th, Canadians will rally in cities across the country
to protest Bill S-203, a bogus animal cruelty bill that is poised to
pass in Parliament in April/May when it comes up for a third and final
reading in the House of Commons.

Bill S-203 is a sham, promoted by politicians to placate the Canadian
public while avoiding meaningful change. Its only new provision is an
increase in the maximum penalties judges can impose. This will not help
the animals. Because it is nearly impossible to show wilful intent as
the law requries, fewer than one percent of animal abuse complaints lead
to convictions. What good are stronger penalties when we can't get
convictions?

Canada's animal cruelty legislation has not been updated since 1892 and
lags shamefully behind that of other developed nations. We need to come
into the current century and Bill S-203 is not the answer. The bill has
been condemned by every animal protection group in Canada, including the
humane societies, the SPCAs and the veterinarians.

Bill S-203 not only fails to help, it will create the illusion that
things are better and take the focus off the problem. Once a new act is
in place, even one that makes no difference, it will be too easy for
those in power to consider the job done and wash their hands of it.

There is a better way. Bill C-373, a private member's bill in the House
of Commons, does a good job of updating the Criminal Code and closing
the loopholes that make it difficult to convict offenders. This is the
kind of bill Canadians want. 145,000 of us have signed petitions
supporting C-373 and opposing S-203.

We are asking MPs to reject S-203 and commit instead to legislation that
will make a difference.

*Pan-Canadian rallies are planned for Sunday March 30th. Participating
cities include Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Calgary and
Windsor.*
**
Myself and volunteers will be passing out literature to explain this
situation along with lists of MP's phone numbers for the Vancouver
area. I am also hoping to have some MP's there who oppose this bill.
Please pass the following information on to everyone you possibly can
and if possible please attend. I welcome you to contact me if you would
like to volunteer. I need help with this and would be extremely
grateful.
**
*INFORMATION*
For rally times and locations, visit *www.againstanimalcruelty.ca
<http://www.againstanimalcruelty.ca>*

yours sincerely,
Rose Nadon