As part of its mandate to oppose Breed Specific Legislation (BSL), the Canadian Kennel Club urges members and the public to show their support for Bill 16 by attending the Anti-BSL Rally on Thursday, February 23, 2012 at 11:30 a.m. at Queen’s Park in Toronto. We also encourage you to attend the legislative session of the second reading of Bill 16, which is the second bill scheduled for debate in the early afternoon that day.

Bill 16, the Public Safety Related to Dogs Statute Law Amendment Act, 2011, was introduced by MPP Randy Hillier (PC), Lanark–Frontenac–Lennox and Addington, on November 30, 2011—backed by MPP Cheri DiNovo (NDP) Parkdale–High Park and MPP Kim Craitor (LIB) Niagara Falls—and serves to revoke the breed-specific section of the Dog Owner's Liability Act (DOLA) in Ontario, enacted August 29, 2005.

Specifically, Bill 16 “repeals provisions in the Animals for Research Act relating to the disposition of pit bulls under that Act” and also “repeals provisions in the Dog Owners’ Liability Act that prohibit restricted pit bulls and provide for controls on pit bulls.”

Contact Your Local MPP and Ask Them to Support Bill 16!
CKC strongly encourages you to contact your MPP to ask for a vote of “Yes” as Bill 16 approaches its second reading. View all MPPs here and click on the name to view the Queen’s Park and constituency contact information. Take action now and make your voice heard!  

Sign and Submit a Petition Supporting Bill 16!
Please consider showing your support of Bill 16 by downloading MPP Randy Hillier’s petition to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario. Be sure to include your name and address along with your written signature and mail or hand-deliver, as required by the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, to the Perth Constituency Office of Randy Hillier prior to February 23rd. 

The CKC supports Bill 16 by motion of the Board at the January 2012 Meeting.
As you know, the CKC “supports dangerous and/or vicious dog legislation, which would serve to protect the public from dangerous dogs” and does not support breed-specific legislation. CKC maintains that “a dangerous temperament is a product of many factors” and cannot be determined by breed alone. For more information, please check out the CKC Legislative Policy Statements regarding Breed Specific Legislation and Responsible Dog Ownership.

For more information about the Anti-BSL Rally in Support of Bill 16, please visit The Staffordshire Bull Terrier Club of Canada website.