In the fall of last year, the Canadian Kennel Club membership had the opportunity to vote in the 2011 Referendum and by early December, the Election Commission reported that 46 out of the 47 proposed amendments to our By-laws received favourable approval!
In order for these amendments to become effective, the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada must give final approval and on 7 August 2012, the Minister signed the Certificate of Approval. Changes to our By-laws became effective on that date and over the next little while the Club will make any necessary changes to our written materials (i.e. forms, policies, etc.) and a new By-laws booklet is now available and can be viewed at anytime on the CKC website. A copy can also be obtained, free of charge, by calling the CKC Order Desk at 1(800) 250-8040 or emailing orderdesk@ckc.ca.
To see more than just what the new By-laws say and to find out how these changes might affect you, some of the key items have been isolated and explained. Please click here to review.
What Does this Mean for You?
This means that you will now have the opportunity to:
- Vote electronically in the 2014 Election/Referendum;
- Submit applications with letters where previously statutory declarations or affidavits were required;
- Submit copies of certificates and pedigrees for foreign dogs where originals were previously required;
- Cancel non-breeding agreements without having to seek the approval of any interim buyers when dogs are returned to the initiator of the agreement.
In the days ahead, more information will follow about these new opportunities as well as other programs and initiatives that the Club is now able to undertake as a result of having received the required approval from Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
The Legislation Committee is continuing to work hard to see how we can improve and make life easier for CKC members through future by-law amendments which the membership will have an opportunity to vote on in 2014.
Click here to view the 2011 Referendum FAQs.