In 2020, former Senator Murray Sinclair teamed up with Dr. Jane Goodall to introduce the Jane Goodall Act to protect captive great apes, elephants and other non-domesticated species, and to ban the import of elephant ivory and hunting trophies. Bill S-218 builds directly on Canada’s 2019 laws banning whale and dolphin captivity for entertainment purposes. If passed, this new legislation would establish some of the strongest animal protection laws in the world, including legal standing for individuals of affected species in sentencing for captivity offences.

Marty will discuss details of the Jane Goodall Act’s policy proposals and parliamentary path, including Senator Marty Klyne’ sponsorship of the legislation following former Senator Sinclair’s retirement. In addition, Marty will discuss the emerging political alliance in relation to Indigenous rights, environmental protection and animal welfare, at a time of reconciliation, climate change and mass extinction.