Justice and Legislative Affairs
Strengthening laws and enforcement to better protect animals.
Our work focuses on ensuring that animals are protected by law and that those who mistreat them are held accountable.
Humane Canada works to strengthen animal protection legislation, improve the justice system's response to animal cruelty and equip professionals with the knowledge and resources they need to protect animals and people. Our work brings together advocacy, research, training and cross-sector collaboration to help create lasting change.
National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty
Our aim is to achieve appropriate, consistent and proportional outcomes for animal welfare offences.
The National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty (NCPAC) supports prosecutors and other justice professionals with specialized knowledge, learning opportunities and resources to strengthen the prosecution of animal cruelty cases across Canada.
The Violence Link
Animal abuse often occurs before or alongside the abuse of people. This is known as the Violence Link.
Humane Canada founded the Canadian Violence Link Coalition (CVLC) to bring professionals and organizations together to increase awareness and advance systemic change.
Access Violence Link Toolkits →
Researching Emerging Forms of Violence
Understanding how animal abuse intersects with other forms of violence helps us identify risks earlier and build more effective prevention strategies.
The Promising Practices Project is a Humane Canada initiative that aims to involve men and boys as partners in preventing gender-based violence (GBV) by delivering innovative, community-driven, humane education.
This program also examined the connection between animal abuse and the online radicalization of young people, contributing new Canadian evidence to support violence prevention, public safety and animal welfare. Explore the Research →
Resources for Justice and Allied Professionals
Law enforcement, prosecutors, the judiciary, victim services, social services and animal welfare professionals all have a role to play in recognizing and responding to animal abuse.
Access training, tools and resources designed to strengthen professional responses to animal cruelty and the Violence Link.
Explore Resources for Criminal Justice Professionals →
Strengthening Animal Protection Laws
We work with governments, policymakers and our animal welfare network to identify gaps in Canadian law and advocate for stronger protections for animals.
Our work has contributed to important changes in federal legislation, including Bill C-16, the Protecting Victims Act, which became law in June 2026 and strengthened protections where animals are harmed or threatened in connection with violence against people.
Our Advocacy WorkExplore our Legislative and Advocacy Work →
To learn more about the Justice and Legislative Affairs Program, please contact program Manager Kerri Thomson: kerri@humanecanada.ca.
