The Alberta government plans to enhance animal welfare by increasing fines and penalties. The proposed Animal Protection Amendment Act, also known as Bill 22, aims to provide clearer definitions of distress and abandonment, enabling peace officers to take action against harmful conditions. Indicators of distress now encompass factors like access to proper shelter and sanitation. These amendments will broaden the scope of locations and businesses subject to inspection to include boarding and grooming facilities.
If passed, the bill will impose harsher penalties, raising maximum fines from $20,000 to $250,000 and introducing jail terms of up to 12 months for serious offenses. Additionally, the legislation will target individuals who have harmed animals in other provinces and relocated to Alberta without facing consequences for their actions. Alberta will become the first province in Canada to enforce prohibition orders from other provinces, allowing peace officers to address repeat offenders regardless of their location.
Leanna Niblock, the executive director of the Alberta SPCA, emphasized the importance of holding offenders accountable and deterring future misconduct through increased fines and potential jail time. Recent incidents of animal distress have led to legal action, such as the case in November 2025 where two women were charged following an investigation into animal cruelty in northwestern Alberta. Over 300 animals were surrendered from In The Woods animal rescue locations in Marie Reine, Alta., and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
These legislative changes represent a significant step towards protecting animals and emphasizing the importance of upholding animal welfare laws.
