"It's just an animal!" Those word have rung through Canada for years. Animals are property under the law and the failure to recognize animals as sentient beings or "special" property has been a major challenge to the pathways for justice. An examination of various laws, both civil and criminal involving animals will provide material for new directions and consideration as animals and humans move together through the justice system seeking greater protections and justice under the law.  

The development of animal protection laws have provided animals some tools to justice. However, laws also need to be enforced and finessed. We will look at overcoming challenges by looking at education, the art of advocacy, revolutionizing the practice of law and implementing specific resources to facilitate animals greater access to the law and in the end, providing a greater voice, greater standing in the justice system. 

We'll look at case studies and specific resources being strategically developed such as a new Access to Justice for Animals initiative in Vancouver, a pro-bono animal law clinic created for low income folks and their animals in Vancouver, and the strategizing and training of specialized criminal prosecutors will be presented.  

Focus will be on how to ensure the voices of animals are heard through the justice system.

Learn from two of Canada's trailblazing and longest serving animal law practitioners (together they have over 40 years in animal law!) Christian Lim, Senior Crown Counsel & Victoria Shroff of Shroff & Associates and adjunct Professor of Animal Law.

Key Learnings:

1. Learn about Pathways as to how animals access to justice in the legal system.
2. Learn about some of the challenges and effective legal protections for animals.
3. Learn about what the future may hold for animal protection, animal welfare in Canada.