Canada poised to lead the Americas with cruelty-free beauty standard
TORONTO (Dec. 14, 2016): Today, the Cruelty Free Cosmetics Act (Bill S-214) passed its second reading in the Senate with overwhelming support, a milestone welcomed by the bill’s sponsor, Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen, and two of the bill’s chief proponents, Humane Society International/Canada and Animal Alliance of Canada. The bill now moves to the Senate Social Affairs, Science and Technology Committee for further study.
“Senator Stewart Olsen stated: “This is an important next step which brings us closer to ending cosmetic animal testing in Canada. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to pass this important Bill.”
The second reading of Bill S-214 comes on the one-year anniversary of its introduction. If enacted, the bill would prohibit cosmetic animal testing in Canada as well as the sale of cosmetic products and ingredients that have been newly animal tested elsewhere in the world.
Humane Society International/Canada campaign manager, Aviva Vetter, said: “Today marks another milestone in our journey to make Canada the next country to #BeCrueltyFree. Already 35 major markets, including the EU, Israel, India, New Zealand and Taiwan, have enacted cosmetic animal testing and sales bans, and it’s high time for Canada to join their ranks.”
Liz White, director of Animal Alliance of Canada, added: “This is a very exciting move towards ending cosmetic animal testing in Canada. In this day and age animals should not have to suffer for our cosmetic products. Safety of new products can be assured using existing ingredients and non-animal testing methods and the majority of Canadians support ending cosmetics cruelty.”
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Media Contact: Liz White, 416-809-4371, liz@animalalliance.ca
#BeCrueltyFree is the largest campaign in history to end cosmetics animal testing and trade globally, with branches in Australia, Brazil and Latin America, Canada, China, the European Union, India, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Taiwan and the United States. #BeCrueltyFree Canada is a partnership between Humane Society International and the Animal Alliance of Canada — online at becrueltyfree.ca. The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act was introduced on December 10 by Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen, following two years of #BeCrueltyFree campaigning.
What is taking so long? This is a no-brainer!! Stop this cruel treatment of these living, breathing, helpless creatures NOW!!
Hi Willie.
We agree that it’s time Canada’s cosmetics industry catch up with so many other progressive nations. The Senator who introduced the bill has been great and is working to keep this initiative moving forward.
We too wish this were a quicker process but, as often happens with legislation, the wheels grind slowly.
It does seem to take a very long time to move the laws to catch up with the will of the people – but we are slowly getting there!
I am happy that people are contributing to this cause I hope that this will become a law