MAY 1 5 2006
File: 0280-30 Ref: 139505

Donna Liberson
Animal Rights Coalition Vancouver BC

Dear Ms. Liberson:

Thank you for your letter to the Honourable Pat Bell, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and the Honourable John Les, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General, regarding the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, I have been asked to respond on their behalf.

I appreciate your thoughtful comments. I am satisfied that the Act provides the British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BCSPCA) with the authority it needs to be able to effectively assist animals that are in distress. I am also satisfied that the Act contains appropriate mechanisms to ensure its powers are exercised in a manner that respects individual rights.

I would like to correct the statement you make in your letter regarding provincial funding contributions to the BCSPCA. Since 2001, the Province of British Columbia has provided the BCSPCA with $3.15 million to assist it with the cost of its operations. The Province also recently provided the BCSPCA with an additional grant of $50,000 to help the BCSPCA carry out its valuable work.

As many of your ideas involve suggestions for how the BCSPCA could improve its operations, I would encourage you to approach the BCSPCA directly to discuss these matters. Both the BCSPCA and your organization are interested in the same outcomes - the humane treatment of animals and public education - so I expect there are opportunities for you to be able to work cooperatively toward those common objectives.

Thank you for taking the time to share your views.

Sincerely,

Larry Pedersen Deputy Minister
Honourable John Les
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General