Parliament Hill was seized with drama this spring as Members of Parliament prepared to vote on Bill S-203, a piece of important legislation proposed by Liberal senator John Bryden to prevent cruelty to animals.

All hunters and anglers I know believe very strongly that there should be no tolerance for animal cruelty, and therefore supported the bill. Many animal rights groups however, believed the legislation didn’t go far enough in protecting animals’ rights, so most lobbied against the bill. The bill finally passed by a margin of 189 to 70. All Conservative members who voted were in favour as were most Liberals and several members of the Bloc Quebecois. The NDP voted against it, apparently sympathetic to the vocal groups who have a different kind of law in mind.

For the first time in 100 years, Bill S-203 offers an opportunity to introduce more stringent punishment for animal cruelty, without having a negative impact upon the outdoors community, the agricultural sector, and the scientific and medical research communities. In combination, these diverse sectors employ millions of Canadians and contribute billions annually to the national economy.

If the bill had not passed, it would open the door for other Private Members Bills waiting in the wings that could work against hunters, anglers, farmers and researchers. Animal rights groups would rather have had legislation that gives animals equal status with human beings. That could ultimately wreak havoc on outdoors heritage activities like hunting, fishing and traditional farming practices.

Some groups would make it against the law to put a worm on a hook, which is why it was important to get some reasonable legislation on the books while we had the chance. Even the meat packing industry and animal researchers could stand to run afoul of an alternative law if Bill S-203 was defeated and animal rights’ groups had been successful in promoting more onerous legislation.

Bill S-203 is a first step, and no one expects that this will be the end of the debate. Despite the claims of some in the animal rights community, the bill will prompt the courts to more successfully prosecute animal offenders, which should garner the support of the vast majority of Canadians. It is no coincidence that the vast majority of outdoors and wildlife federations were solidly behind the bill.

The parliamentary Outdoors Caucus that I helped to create a couple of years ago was an important vehicle in getting information to M.P.s on this bill. The Outdoors Caucus has already proved to be very valuable in protecting hunters, anglers and farmers.

The majority of M.P.s made the right choice by voting for harsher animal penalties, without forsaking our traditional Canadian heritage activities.

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The audio version of Garry's May 26, 2008 op-ed column can be heard by clicking here