To all whose lives have been changed by the actions of the Ontario SPCA

From 1996 – 2006 fifteen people province wide complained to the Ontario Ombudsman about the Animal Care Review Board and the Ontario SPCA.

WE HAVE NOT DONE ENOUGH TO ENSURE THE GOVERNMENT/OMBUDSMAN KNOW ABOUT PROBLEMS WITH THE OSPCA.

SPCAs and Humane Societies nationally and internationally proclaim proposed Bill 50 takes Ontario animal cruelty legislation from “WORST to FIRST”.

The members of those organizations have written to support Bill 50 which grants the Ontario SPCA the right to warrantless entry among many other important changes. This is a violation of the Canadian Charter of Rights. Please visit www.reformontarioanimalact.com

We need letters to come from all corners of the province demanding oversight, transparency and accountability of the Ontario SPCA. How else will the province know a problem even exists? Remember major changes to Ontario’s Animal Cruelty legislation are possible for the first time since 1955.

Bill 50 Section 6 “The Society shall have such officers with such powers and duties as are provided in the by-laws of the Society.”

Bill 50 Section 6.1 (1) “The Society shall appoint an employee of the Society as the Chief Inspector.”

Bill 50 Section 6.1(3) “The Chief Inspector of the Society may have additional powers and duties as are provided in the by-laws of the Society.

OSPCA by-laws are not and never have been available to the public and the OSPCA is not subject to Freedom of Information.

Perhaps they will amend the bylaw and carry firearms like the New Jersey SPCA?

Bill 50 states “Every inspector and (volunteer) agent of the Society has and may exercise any of the powers of a police officer.”

Below is an email sent today to MPP Michael Bryant, MPP St. Paul’s.

The Ontario SPCA has put us through hell. WRITE YOUR LETTER, TELL THE OMBUDSMAN YOUR STORY. Copy in Minister Bartolucci and your MPP.

Make sure you ask for a copy of the current Ontario SPCA BYLAWS as well as a copy of the current provincial STANDARDS OF ANIMAL CARE (regulations) the Ontario SPCA will be enforcing.

Andre Marin
Ombudsman of Ontario
Office of the Ombudsman of Ontario
Bell Trinity Square
483 Bay Street,
10th Floor, South Tower
TORONTO ON M5G 2C9
TEL: 416-586-3300
FAX: 416-586-3485
email: info@ombudsman.on.ca

The Honourable Minister Rick Bartolucci
Ministry of Community Safety & Correctional Services
25 Grosvenor Street, 18th Floor
TORONTO ON M7A 1Y6
TEL: (416) 325-0408 or Toll Free: (866) 517-0571
Fax: (416) 325-6067
email: rick.bartolucci@ontario.ca